Access services librarian vs library director

The differences between access services librarians and library 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 library director. Additionally, an access services librarian has an average salary of $49,899, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

The top three skills for an access services librarian include library services, library resources and library system. The most important skills for a library director are library services, collection development, and professional development.

Access services librarian vs library director overview

	Access Services Librarian	Library Director
Yearly salary	$49,899	$44,750
Hourly rate	$23.99	$21.51
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	61,525	5,428
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Access services librarian vs library director salary

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

	Access Services Librarian	Library Director
Average salary	$49,899	$44,750
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $70,000	Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Hoboken, NJ
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between access services librarian and library director education

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

	Access Services Librarian	Library Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	English	Library Science
Most common college	University of Washington	New York University

Access services librarian vs library director demographics

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

	Access Services Librarian	Library Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between access services librarian and library 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.

Library director example responsibilities.

Manage records of circulation and materials, maintain inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Hire & supervise 26 staff , 16 FTE.
Supervise one FTE and six part time employees.
Investigate and troubleshoot protocols, procedures and reagents.
Work with vendors to develop licensing and to troubleshoot electronic access.
Provide oversight of the acquisitions process at all stages, including final approval.

Access services librarian vs library 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 library director skills

Library Services, 16%
Collection Development, 7%
Professional Development, 6%
Library Operations, 6%
Academic Library, 6%
Library Resources, 5%

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Access Services Librarian
Access Services Librarian vs Library Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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