Library supervisor vs public services librarian

The differences between library supervisors 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 supervisor and a public services librarian. Additionally, a library supervisor has an average salary of $53,615, which is higher than the $49,867 average annual salary of a public services librarian.

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

Library supervisor vs public services librarian overview

	Library Supervisor	Public Services Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,615	$49,867
Hourly rate	$25.78	$23.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,781	62,620
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Library supervisor vs public services librarian salary

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

	Library Supervisor	Public Services Librarian
Average salary	$53,615	$49,867
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $77,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Yale University
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between library supervisor and public services librarian education

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

	Library Supervisor	Public Services Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 69%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Business	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Library supervisor vs public services librarian demographics

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

	Library Supervisor	Public Services Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.4% 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 supervisor and public services librarian duties and responsibilities

Library supervisor example responsibilities.

Provide safety and security oversight of the library, training and updating evacuation/plot plans and extinguishment methods.
Trouble shoot and replace lap tops, rent out dvds.
Learned to repair library material such as books, DVDs and CDs.
Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

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 supervisor vs public services librarian skills

Common library supervisor skills

Library Materials, 13%
Library Patrons, 10%
Library Services, 9%
Library Operations, 9%
Library Policies, 7%
Student Assistants, 6%

Common public services librarian skills

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

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Library Supervisor vs Public Services Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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