Special collections librarian vs library manager

The differences between special collections librarians and library managers 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 manager. Additionally, a library manager has an average salary of $58,586, 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 library manager are library services, library policies, and collection development.

Special collections librarian vs library manager overview

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Manager
Yearly salary	$53,149	$58,586
Hourly rate	$25.55	$28.17
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	1,739
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs library manager salary

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Manager
Average salary	$53,149	$58,586
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $41,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	Amd
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between special collections librarian and library manager education

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Southern California	New York University

Special collections librarian vs library manager demographics

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Library Manager
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special collections librarian and library manager 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 manager example responsibilities.

Provide continuous cataloging training for library staff.
Operate library cataloging system efficiently by providing unique identification code to the newly purchase books.
Provide safety and security oversight of the library, training and updating evacuation/plot plans and extinguishment methods.
Research using LEXIS-NEXIS and WestLaw databases for legal, business, and newspaper research.
Utilize Lexis and Westlaw extensively to locate articles and case law relate to the topic.
Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Special collections librarian vs library manager 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 manager skills

Library Services, 18%
Library Policies, 11%
Collection Development, 9%
Local Community, 8%
Electronic Resources, 7%
Library Materials, 4%

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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs Library Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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