Library Directors


Overview

Introduction

Library directors, also referred to as head librarians or library administrators, manage libraries. Much of their work is administrative, for example, creating a budget for new book acquisitions and technological equipment, managing the librarys collection, fund-raising, devising public relations campaigns, working with community or academic leaders, and hiring, training, and scheduling library staff.

Quick Facts


More

Median Salary

$112,453

More

Employment Prospects

Good

More

Minimum Education Level

Masters Degree


More

Experience

Ten years as a librarian


More

Skills

Business Management|Information Management|Interpersonal


More

Personality Traits

Conventional|Enterprising|Organized

Earnings

Library directors earned average annual salaries of $112,453 in January 2020, according to Salary.com. Salaries ranged from less than $81,112 to $158,815 or more. Benefits for full-time library directors include compensated sick leave, paid vacation time, holiday pay, various insurance plans, and retirement savings programs.

Work Environment

Library directors typically work a 40-hour workweek, though some weekend and evening hours may be required. School library directors typically have their work schedules tied to the academic calendar.

Library directors are expected to attend workshops, conferences, meetings, and some community events. At times the job can be very stressful, even more so when a director has to juggle multi...

Outlook

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) predicts that employment of librarians will grow about as fast as the average for all careers through 2028. Employment opportunities for qualified library directors should be good. Although library directors will be in demand in a variety of library settings, good opportunities for library professionals will exist in nontraditional settings such as private cor...