Librarian vs circulation director

The differences between 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 a librarian and a circulation director. Additionally, a circulation director has an average salary of $59,920, which is higher than the $53,096 average annual salary of a librarian.

The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a circulation director are audience development, newspapers, and independent contractors.

Librarian vs circulation director overview

	Librarian	Circulation Director
Yearly salary	$53,096	$59,920
Hourly rate	$25.53	$28.81
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,264	5,074
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Librarian vs circulation director salary

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

	Librarian	Circulation Director
Average salary	$53,096	$59,920
Salary range	Between $38,000 And $73,000	Between $30,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Meta	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between librarian and circulation director education

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

	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

Librarian vs circulation director demographics

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

	Librarian	Circulation Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	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%	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 librarian and circulation director duties and responsibilities

Librarian example responsibilities.

Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.

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.

Librarian vs circulation director skills

Common librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Customer Service, 10%
Library Materials, 8%
Collection Development, 7%
Library Resources, 6%
Reference Services, 5%

Common circulation director skills

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

Librarian vs. similar jobs

Librarian related careers

Librarian related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Librarian
Librarian vs Circulation Director

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs