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College librarian vs library director

The differences between college 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 a college librarian and a library director. Additionally, a college librarian has an average salary of $52,999, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

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

College librarian vs library director overview

College LibrarianLibrary Director
Yearly salary$52,999$44,750
Hourly rate$25.48$21.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,8865,428
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

College librarian vs library director salary

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

College LibrarianLibrary Director
Average salary$52,999$44,750
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $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 college librarian and library director education

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

College LibrarianLibrary Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

College librarian vs library director demographics

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

College LibrarianLibrary Director
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between college librarian and library director duties and responsibilities

College 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.
  • Redesign and repair periodical and CD-ROM/DVD center at no cost.

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.
  • Show more

College librarian vs library director skills

Common college librarian skills
  • Library Services, 29%
  • Library Resources, 24%
  • Reference Services, 16%
  • Cataloging, 7%
  • AV, 6%
  • Library Materials, 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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