Special library librarian vs library director

The differences between special library 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 library librarian and a library director. Additionally, a special library librarian has an average salary of $52,343, which is higher than the $44,750 average annual salary of a library director.

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

Special library librarian vs library director overview

	Special Library Librarian	Library Director
Yearly salary	$52,343	$44,750
Hourly rate	$25.16	$21.51
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	12,477	5,428
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special library librarian vs library director salary

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

	Special Library Librarian	Library Director
Average salary	$52,343	$44,750
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $72,000	Between $28,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Hoboken, NJ
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Northern California Power Agency	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between special library librarian and library director education

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

	Special Library Librarian	Library Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	University of Maryland - College Park	New York University

Special library librarian vs library director demographics

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

	Special Library Librarian	Library Director
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%	Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% 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 library librarian and library director duties and responsibilities

Special library librarian example responsibilities.

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

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 library librarian vs library director skills

Common special library librarian skills

Library Services, 16%
Professional Development, 10%
Library Resources, 9%
Collection Development, 9%
Library Science, 8%
Reference Services, 7%

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 Library Librarian
Special Library Librarian vs Library Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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