Access services librarian vs circulation director

The differences between access services librarians and circulation directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an access services librarian and a circulation director. Additionally, a circulation director has an average salary of $59,920, which is higher than the $49,899 average annual salary of an access services librarian.

The top three skills for an access services librarian include library services, library resources and library system. The most important skills for a circulation director are audience development, newspapers, and independent contractors.

Access services librarian vs circulation director overview

	Access Services Librarian	Circulation Director
Yearly salary	$49,899	$59,920
Hourly rate	$23.99	$28.81
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	61,525	5,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Access services librarian vs circulation director salary

Access services librarians and circulation directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Access Services Librarian	Circulation Director
Average salary	$49,899	$59,920
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $70,000	Between $30,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between access services librarian and circulation director education

There are a few differences between an access services librarian and a circulation director in terms of educational background:

	Access Services Librarian	Circulation Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	English	Business
Most common college	University of Washington	Stanford University

Access services librarian vs circulation director demographics

Here are the differences between access services librarians' and circulation directors' demographics:

	Access Services Librarian	Circulation Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between access services librarian and circulation director duties and responsibilities

Access services librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Identify and refer items that need attention of the cataloging or conservation department
Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Circulation director example responsibilities.

Manage vendor relationships for BPA audits, reader service, international mail, subscription telemarketing & corporate compliance for USPS standards.
Manage records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Insure adherence to ABC rules and regulations.
Establish completely fund NIE program at both papers.
Analyze and compare marketing campaigns, marketing briefs, and BPA statements.
Possess ABC, postal audit, statement of ownership, etc., knowledge.

Access services librarian vs circulation director skills

Common access services librarian skills

Library Services, 17%
Library Resources, 12%
Library System, 12%
Collection Development, 11%
Library Materials, 10%
Course Reserves, 5%

Common circulation director skills

Audience Development, 19%
Newspapers, 13%
Independent Contractors, 11%
Expense Budget, 10%
ABC, 4%
Strategic Plan, 4%

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Access Services Librarian
Access Services Librarian vs Circulation Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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