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Librarian vs library manager

The differences between 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 librarian and a library manager. Additionally, a library manager has an average salary of $58,586, 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 library manager are library services, library policies, and collection development.

Librarian vs library manager overview

LibrarianLibrary Manager
Yearly salary$53,096$58,586
Hourly rate$25.53$28.17
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,2641,739
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Librarian vs library manager salary

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

LibrarianLibrary Manager
Average salary$53,096$58,586
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $73,000Between $41,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyMetaAmd
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between librarian and library manager education

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

LibrarianLibrary Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Librarian vs library manager demographics

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

LibrarianLibrary Manager
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 31.3% Female, 68.7%Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.3% 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 librarian and library manager 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.
    • Show more

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.

Librarian vs library manager skills

Common librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Library Materials, 8%
  • Collection Development, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Reference Services, 5%
Common library manager skills
  • Library Services, 18%
  • Library Policies, 11%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Local Community, 8%
  • Electronic Resources, 7%
  • Library Materials, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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