Post job

Circulation librarian vs library manager

The differences between circulation librarians and library managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a circulation librarian and a library manager. Additionally, a library manager has an average salary of $58,586, which is higher than the $50,163 average annual salary of a circulation librarian.

The top three skills for a circulation librarian include circulation desk, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a library manager are library services, library policies, and collection development.

Circulation librarian vs library manager overview

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Manager
Yearly salary$50,163$58,586
Hourly rate$24.12$28.17
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,0411,739
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation librarian vs library manager salary

Circulation librarians and library managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Manager
Average salary$50,163$58,586
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $41,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Amd
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between circulation librarian and library manager education

There are a few differences between a circulation librarian and a library manager in terms of educational background:

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesNew York University

Circulation librarian vs library manager demographics

Here are the differences between circulation librarians' and library managers' demographics:

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Manager
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between circulation librarian and library manager duties and responsibilities

Circulation librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Database inventory of records and CDs.

Library manager example responsibilities.

  • Provide continuous cataloging training for library staff.
  • Operate library cataloging system efficiently by providing unique identification code to the newly purchase books.
  • Provide safety and security oversight of the library, training and updating evacuation/plot plans and extinguishment methods.
  • Research using LEXIS-NEXIS and WestLaw databases for legal, business, and newspaper research.
  • Utilize Lexis and Westlaw extensively to locate articles and case law relate to the topic.
  • Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Circulation librarian vs library manager skills

Common circulation librarian skills
  • Circulation Desk, 31%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Library Materials, 18%
  • Student Assistants, 4%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
  • Library System, 4%
Common library manager skills
  • Library Services, 18%
  • Library Policies, 11%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Local Community, 8%
  • Electronic Resources, 7%
  • Library Materials, 4%

Browse education, training, and library jobs