LIBRARY WORKERS: FACTS & FIGURES

Libraries and library staff provide essential services for schools, universities, and communities. Americans use libraries for free, reliable, and organized access to books, the Internet, and other sources of information and entertainment; assistance finding work; research and reference assistance; and programs for children, immigrants, and other groups with specific needs, just to name a few.

This fact sheet explores: library staff in the workforce, diversity within the professions, educational attainment of library workers, the role of women in the professions, issues of pay and pay equity, and the union difference for library staff.

An Overview of Library Professionals and Libraries

 In 2013, there were 194,000 librarians, 39,000 library technicians, and 87,000 library assistants. Generally, the definition of “librarian” is a person who holds at least a master’s degree in library science or meets state teaching license standards for being a school librarian.
“Library technicians” assist librarians in the acquisition, preparation, and organization of materials “and assist users in locating the appropriate resources.”
“Library assistants” are similar to library technicians, but may have fewer responsibilities.

 From 2007 through 2013, library employment among librarians and library technicians and assistants shrank from 380,000 to 320,000.

MORE from HERE.

Librarians!

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides some information about the number of librarians in the US. Also, OCLC provides some global library statistics that I find interesting.

Number of Libraries in the United States

2009 State Payroll Posted Online

New Yorkers today can search the complete 2009 state government payroll on www.SeeThroughNY.net, the government transparency website. The updated database includes names, titles, base pay rates and total pay received by the 298,247 people who worked in the state's executive, legislative or judicial branches at any point last year.

The full text of this press release is available here.

Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen. 518.434.3100

Library Workers: Facts & Figures

Thought the following data showing average salaries and employment for librarians, library technicians and library assistants would be of interest to folks considering entering the profession. (Originally posted to NYLINE.

Library Workers: Facts & Figures - Fact Sheet 2009
Source: AFL-CIO Department for Professional Employees

For more information on library careers in New York State, visit:www.librarycareersny.org

SLA Salary Survey

The 2008 SLA Salary Survey & Workplace Study results show that the average salary increases for SLA members have again outpaced inflation.

Report on Library Journal's annual placement and salary survey

LJ's Placements & Salaries 2008

2007 Librarian Salary Survey & Workplace Study

The 2007 SLA Salary Survey & Workplace study is available for purchase. Get the highlights here.