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Reference librarian vs library director

The differences between reference 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 a reference librarian and a library director. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

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

Reference librarian vs library director overview

Reference LibrarianLibrary Director
Yearly salary$50,409$44,750
Hourly rate$24.24$21.51
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,0585,428
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Reference librarian vs library director salary

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Director
Average salary$50,409$44,750
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AKHoboken, NJ
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyYale UniversityUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between reference librarian and library director education

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Director
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Reference librarian vs library director demographics

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Director
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% 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 reference librarian and library director duties and responsibilities

Reference librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Coordinate inter-library loan service, using OCLC searches to loan and borrow books and periodicals.
  • Perform reference and readers' advisory for patrons and staff via telephone, IM, email, and in person.
  • Perform copy-cataloging operations using OCLC database and online databases.
  • Maintain responsibility for collection management of the adult non-fiction collection.
  • Instigate student-librarian relationships and increase library productivity by regularly mentoring students in legal research, writing, and study methods.
    • Show more

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

Reference librarian vs library director skills

Common reference librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 11%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Research Guides, 6%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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