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Elementary librarian vs library director

The differences between elementary 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 elementary librarian and a library director. Additionally, an elementary librarian has an average salary of $52,474, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

The top three skills for an elementary librarian include library materials, library collection and library programs. The most important skills for a library director are library services, collection development, and professional development.

Elementary librarian vs library director overview

Elementary LibrarianLibrary Director
Yearly salary$52,474$44,750
Hourly rate$25.23$21.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,7545,428
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Elementary librarian vs library director salary

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

Elementary LibrarianLibrary Director
Average salary$52,474$44,750
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 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 elementary librarian and library director education

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

Elementary LibrarianLibrary Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorElementary EducationLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNew York University

Elementary librarian vs library director demographics

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

Elementary LibrarianLibrary Director
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%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 elementary librarian and library director duties and responsibilities

Elementary librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Conduct research for teachers for relevant on-line resources for their curricular use.
  • Introduce some computer research skills and concepts 3rd grade - target social relationships and personal responsibility 4th grade - biography project.
  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Obtain a grant to update the non-fiction collection.

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

Elementary librarian vs library director skills

Common elementary librarian skills
  • Library Materials, 22%
  • Library Collection, 20%
  • Library Programs, 13%
  • AV, 9%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Research, 8%
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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