Special collections librarian vs library director

The differences between special collections 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 special collections librarian and a library director. Additionally, a special collections librarian has an average salary of $53,149, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

The top three skills for a special collections librarian include customer accounts, collection development and outbound calls. The most important skills for a library director are library services, collection development, and professional development.

Special collections librarian vs library director overview

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Director
Yearly salary	$53,149	$44,750
Hourly rate	$25.55	$21.51
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	5,428
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs library director salary

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Director
Average salary	$53,149	$44,750
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Hoboken, NJ
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between special collections librarian and library director education

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Library Science
Most common college	University of Southern California	New York University

Special collections librarian vs library director demographics

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special collections librarian and library 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.

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.

Special collections librarian vs library 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 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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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs Library Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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