Library director vs public services librarian

The differences between library directors and public services librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a library director and a public services librarian. Additionally, a public services librarian has an average salary of $49,867, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

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

Library director vs public services librarian overview

	Library Director	Public Services Librarian
Yearly salary	$44,750	$49,867
Hourly rate	$21.51	$23.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	5,428	62,620
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Library director vs public services librarian salary

Library directors and public services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Director	Public Services Librarian
Average salary	$44,750	$49,867
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $69,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	Hoboken, NJ	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	University of California, Berkeley	Yale University
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between library director and public services librarian education

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

	Library Director	Public Services Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Library director vs public services librarian demographics

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

	Library Director	Public Services Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between library director and public services librarian duties and responsibilities

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.

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

Library director vs public services librarian skills

Common library director skills

Library Services, 16%
Collection Development, 7%
Professional Development, 6%
Library Operations, 6%
Academic Library, 6%
Library Resources, 5%

Common public services librarian skills

Library Services, 15%
Collection Development, 10%
Reference Services, 9%
Library Policies, 8%
Technical Publications, 7%
Technical Manuals, 6%

Library Director vs. similar jobs

Library Director related careers

Library Director related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Education, Training, and Library Industry
Library Director
Library Director vs Public Services Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs