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 library's collection, fund-raising, devising public relations campaigns, working with community or academic leaders, and hiring, training, and scheduling library staff.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
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...