Special collections librarian vs circulation director

The differences between special collections 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 special collections librarian and a circulation director. Additionally, a circulation director has an average salary of $59,920, which is higher than the $53,149 average annual salary of a special collections librarian.

The top three skills for a special collections librarian include customer accounts, collection development and outbound calls. The most important skills for a circulation director are audience development, newspapers, and independent contractors.

Special collections librarian vs circulation director overview

	Special Collections Librarian	Circulation Director
Yearly salary	$53,149	$59,920
Hourly rate	$25.55	$28.81
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	5,074
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs circulation director salary

Special collections librarians and circulation directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Special Collections Librarian	Circulation Director
Average salary	$53,149	$59,920
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $30,000 And $119,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between special collections librarian and circulation director education

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Circulation Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	Stanford University

Special collections librarian vs circulation director demographics

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Circulation Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 68.5% Female, 31.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% 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 special collections librarian and circulation director duties and responsibilities

Special collections librarian example responsibilities.

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Check in new journals in the database.
Provide reference and interlibrary loan services and instruct users on use of computers, database tools for research at the library.
Coordinate and prioritize cataloging and metadata for SC materials.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Collaborate with other IRC staff on special projects, publications and research for members, leaders or HQ staff.

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.

Special collections librarian vs circulation director skills

Common special collections librarian skills

Customer Accounts, 27%
Collection Development, 12%
Outbound Calls, 10%
Problem Accounts, 9%
Collection Efforts, 8%
Reference Assistance, 8%

Common circulation director skills

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

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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs Circulation Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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