Administrative librarian vs circulation director

The differences between administrative 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 administrative librarian and a circulation director. Additionally, a circulation director has an average salary of $59,920, which is higher than the $53,527 average annual salary of an administrative librarian.

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

Administrative librarian vs circulation director overview

	Administrative Librarian	Circulation Director
Yearly salary	$53,527	$59,920
Hourly rate	$25.73	$28.81
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	34,496	5,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Administrative librarian vs circulation director salary

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

	Administrative Librarian	Circulation Director
Average salary	$53,527	$59,920
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $78,000	Between $30,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between administrative librarian and circulation director education

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

	Administrative Librarian	Circulation Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Library Science	Business
Most common college	New York University	Stanford University

Administrative librarian vs circulation director demographics

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

	Administrative Librarian	Circulation Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 30.0% Female, 70.0%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% 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 administrative librarian and circulation director duties and responsibilities

Administrative librarian example responsibilities.

Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
Maintain accurate records of circulation and materials, inventory, and correct cataloging errors.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Evaluate and select integrated library system for OPAC and serials management.

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.

Administrative librarian vs circulation director skills

Common administrative librarian skills

PLM, 32%
Library Services, 21%
Collection Development, 15%
Professional Development, 13%
Library System, 8%
Library Operations, 6%

Common circulation director skills

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

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Administrative Librarian vs Circulation Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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