RESULTS OF 2002 SALARY SURVEY OF ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARIES

During 1997 a committee of the Public Library Division of the Alabama Library Association and the Alabama Public Library Service developed a survey form to gather data concerning wages paid to employees of public libraries in Alabama. The 2002 survey is the third time the survey has been conducted.

In an attempt to provide comparable data, the committee developed seventeen job classifications that would cover most library positions. Librarians were asked to carefully read the descriptions and provide salary ranges or hourly wages for the positions that most closely matched the job descriptions of their employees.

The 2002 data represents surveys returned by 50% of the 218 public libraries in Alabama. The data has been compiled in three sets of comparisons and reported in thirteen tables. Tables 1-7 show the data as reported in seven population categories served by public libraries in Alabama. Tables 8-12 report the data based on five levels of educational attainment. Table 13 reports the data for all job descriptions regardless of library size or levels of educational attainment.

Each table provides the minimum, maximum, median and average hourly wage reported by libraries. The tables report raw data and are not intended to suggest a recommended salary for any of the job categories defined.

JOB CATEGORIES AND DEFINITI0NS

  • Library Director may have job titles such as Librarian or Head Librarian. As Chief     Administrative officer of the library or library system, plans and directs all aspects of the operation. Reports directly to a board of trustees.
  • Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director is the librarian ranking next to the Library Director and has responsibility for library activities in the absence of the Director. May manage a major aspect of the library operation (e.g. technical services, public services, youth services, collection development, systems/automation).
  • Librarian III may have job titles such as Regional Branch Coordinator, Public Services Coordinator, Automation Services Coordinator, and Building Superintendent. Manages operation of 2 or more branch libraries, departments and/or library functions. Directly supervises other professional librarians (e.g. branch heads, department heads).
  • Librarian II may have job titles such as Reference Librarian, Head of Children’s Services, Cataloger, Youth Services Librarian, Reference & Interlibrary Loan Librarian, Circulation Assistant, Central Branch Head, Regional Branch Head, Archival Librarian, and Records Management Librarian. Manages the operation of a branch library, central or system library department. Has supervisory responsibility for other professional librarians.
  • Librarian I may have job titles such as Reference Assistant, Assistant Children’s Librarian, Assistant Audio-Visual Librarian, and Branch Head. May be the department head in a large branch library. Both experienced and entry-level librarians with no supervisory responsibility for other professional staff. May directly supervise paraprofessional, clerical and service staff.
  • Library Assistant III may have job titles such as Children’s Assistant, Reference Assistant, Assistant Cataloger, or Technical Services Assistant. Performs paraprofessional librarian duties, provides services to library patrons, and assists in directing the non-professional staff of a department or branch library. Regularly supervises paraprofessional and clerical employees.
  • Library Assistant II may have job title such as Children’s Assistant, Reference Assistant, Assistant Cataloger, or Technical Services Assistant. Performs a variety of paraprofessional duties in public service and/or in the circulation, processing, classifying, and cataloging of library materials. May supervise clerical and service personnel.

 

  • Library Assistant I may have job title such as Library Assistant, Children’s Assistant, Assistant Cataloger, and Reference Assistant. (Usually libraries, which have a Library Assistant (not I, II, III) job title, are single municipal libraries, or small county libraries.) Performs circulation, processing, or public service duties (not general clerical work) under supervision. Typically does not have supervisory responsibilities.
  • Clerk III may have job title such as Senior Clerk, Data Processing Clerk, and Acquisitions Clerk. Performs a variety of clerical duties in support of library operations and functions. Regularly supervises one or more library clerks.
  • Clerk II, may have job title such as Intermediate Clerk, Clerk/Typist. Performs a variety of clerical duties in support of library operations and functions. May occasionally have supervisory responsibilities.
  • Clerk I, may have job title such as Beginning Clerk, Clerk, File Clerk, Student Aide or Assistant, Clerk/Typist, or Secretary. Under close supervision, performs a variety of clerical duties in support of library operations and functions.
  • Data Processing Coordinator may have job title such as Automation Specialist, Computer Network Specialist, Automation/Equipment Specialist, and Data Processing Operations Manager. Manages the library computer system operation. Sets operating procedures. May be responsible for installing and repairing microcomputer hardware and software systems and providing technical assistance and training to staff or system users.
  • Administrative Assistant may include a variety of job titles such as Director’s Secretary, Bookkeeper, Business Manager, and Administrative Secretary. May have more administrative responsibility than typical clerical positions. May be responsible for maintaining all financial accounting records of the library (e.g. receiving and disbursing all funds, maintaining ledgers, records, reports and files), payment of bills, purchasing of supplies and materials, payroll, etc.
  • Public Relations Officer may have job titles such as Program/Exhibits Officer, Community Relations Librarian. Performs administrative and marketing duties in promoting library services, and in planning and implementing special programs and exhibits for the library.

 

  • Driver may have title such as Bookmobile Driver, Van Delivery Driver. Operates a van/bookmobile transporting books and other library materials, messages, mail, and supplies for a library or library system.

 

  • Custodian may have job titles such as Building Services Worker, Janitor, Maid, Building Maintenance Worker. Performs various cleaning duties involved in maintenance, repair and cleaning of library building and grounds maintenance.

 

 

  • Page may have job titles such as Shelver, Student Aide, or Assistant. Does routine work in sorting, shelving, and retrieving of library materials and performing other routine clerical tasks.

 

  • Other may include local job titles such as Arts Program Coordinator, coordinator for the International Media, Training and Staff Development, Personnel Officer, Security Officer, Data Processing Assistant or other data processing staff, e.g. Webmaster.

 

 

 

 

           

         TABLE 1

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS OVER 100,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            51.97

 $            16.11

 $            32.66

 $            33.70

MLS/OAD

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            38.77

 $            19.61

 $            25.87

 $            27.92

MLS

 

Librarian III

 $            33.45

 $            16.74

 $            21.62

 $            22.50

MLS

 

Librarian II

 $            27.56

 $            12.02

 $            15.39

 $            17.95

MLS/BA

 

Librarian I

 $            23.83

 $            12.04

 $            14.77

 $            15.91

MLS

 

Library Assistant III

 $            18.67

 $              6.00

 $            12.00

 $            11.92

BA/BS/SC

 

Library Assistant II

 $            16.12

 $              8.00

 $            10.39

 $            11.73

BA/BS/SC

 

Library Assistant I

 $            11.69

 $              6.50

 $              9.13

 $              9.22

BA/BS/SC

 

Clerk III

 $            16.12

 $              8.87

 $            10.39

 $            11.42

SC/HS

 

Clerk II

 $            13.96

 $              7.67

 $              9.01

 $              9.92

HS

 

Clerk I

 $              7.25

 $              7.25

 $              7.25

 $              7.25

HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 $            33.45

 $            16.74

 $            21.31

 $            22.37

MLS

 

Administrative Assistant

 $            23.83

 $            14.45

 $            19.20

 $            19.17

MLS/SC/HS

 

Public Relations Officer

 $            23.83

 $            13.11

 $            15.68

 $            16.86

BA/BS

 

Driver

 $            15.36

 $              8.05

 $              9.88

 $            10.65

HS

 

Custodian

 $            11.78

 $              7.30

 $            10.28

 $              9.86

HS

 

Page

 $              8.87

 $              5.35

 $              6.67

 $              6.89

HS

 

Security

 $            17.50

 $              9.42

 $            11.47

 $            12.80

HS

 

Personnel Officer

 $            30.64

 $            15.36

 $            21.82

 $            22.41

BA/BS

 

Development Coordinator

 $            33.45

 $            21.62

 $            27.54

 $            27.54

MLS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS 50,000 TO 100,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            31.27

 $            16.82

 $            24.16

 $            23.88

MLS

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            18.38

 $            12.88

 $            14.50

 $            15.07

MLS/BA/BS

 

Librarian III

 $            14.74

 $            13.83

 $            14.29

 $            14.29

MLS

 

Librarian II

 $            19.81

 $            10.45

 $            13.89

 $            14.73

MLS

 

Librarian I

 $            15.00

 $            10.00

 $            13.17

 $            12.73

MLS/BA/BS

 

Library Assistant III

 $            12.66

 $              8.00

 $            10.41

 $            10.21

BA/BS/HS

 

Library Assistant II

 $            11.22

 $              5.75

 $              8.21

 $              8.34

BA/BS/SC

 

Library Assistant I

 $            10.46

 $              5.25

 $              7.53

 $              7.51

HS

 

Clerk III

 $            12.46

 $              8.16

 $              9.88

 $            10.17

HS

 

Clerk II

 $              8.45

 $              7.71

 $              7.93

 $              8.03

HS

 

Clerk I

 $            10.46

 $              8.22

 $              9.34

 $              9.34

HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 $            14.50

 $              7.36

 $            10.00

 $            10.62

BA/BS/SC

 

Administrative Assistant

 $            16.91

 $              7.00

 $            10.78

 $            11.37

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Public Relations Officer

 $            14.68

 $            10.57

 $            12.63

 $            12.63

HS

 

Driver

 $              6.20

 $              5.72

 $              5.96

 $              5.96

HS

 

Custodian

 $            12.00

 $              5.25

 $              8.31

 $              8.59

HS

 

Page

 $              6.71

 $              5.15

 $              5.46

 $              5.71

HS

 

Security

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS 35,000 TO 50,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            33.65

 $              7.92

 $            13.97

 $            16.73

MLS/OAD/SC

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            23.50

 $              8.33

 $            12.50

 $            14.05

MLS/SC/HS

 

Librarian III

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Librarian II

 $            21.36

 $              7.92

 $            12.53

 $            12.96

MLS/HS

 

Librarian I

 $            17.66

 $              6.14

 $              8.45

 $            10.16

OAD/BA/BS

 

Library Assistant III

 $              8.70

 $              4.40

 $              6.14

 $              6.41

HS

 

Library Assistant II

 $              9.05

 $              6.14

 $              7.35

 $              7.59

SC/HS

 

Library Assistant I

 $            13.26

 $              6.14

 $              7.73

 $              8.57

BA/BS/SC

 

Clerk III

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Clerk II

 $              8.00

 $              5.41

 $              6.30

 $              6.57

HS

 

Clerk I

 $              6.90

 $              5.15

 $              6.75

 $              6.27

BA/BS/HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Administrative Assistant

 $              8.45

 $              6.41

 $              8.30

 $              7.72

SC/HS

 

Public Relations Officer

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Driver

 $              6.50

 $              6.50

 $              6.50

 $              6.50

HS

 

Custodian

 $              9.97

 $              7.20

 $              8.00

 $              8.29

HS

 

Page

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Security

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Other

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS 15,000 TO 35000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            39.13

 $            10.25

 $            19.00

 $            21.24

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            30.65

 $              7.00

 $            11.50

 $            13.14

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Librarian III

 $            27.84

 $              8.68

 $            24.06

 $            21.12

MLS/SC/HS

 

Librarian II

 $            23.32

 $              7.50

 $            14.91

 $            15.41

MLS/BABS/SC/HS

 

Librarian I

 $            20.79

 $              5.50

 $            10.66

 $            12.27

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant III

 $            20.13

 $              5.25

 $            10.88

 $            11.62

BA/BS

 

Library Assistant II

 $            14.32

 $              5.15

 $              9.25

 $              9.60

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant I

 $            18.84

 $              5.15

 $              8.13

 $              9.01

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Clerk III

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Clerk II

 $            17.09

 $              6.18

 $              7.31

 $              9.40

SC/HS

 

Clerk I

 $            12.76

 $              5.50

 $              6.98

 $              7.53

SC/HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 $            30.65

 $              8.20

 $            19.78

 $            18.35

BA/BS/SC

 

Administrative Assistant

 $            22.20

 $              8.00

 $            12.16

 $            13.27

OAD/SC

 

Public Relations Officer

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Driver

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Custodian

 $            12.76

 $              5.15

 $              7.54

 $              7.85

HS

 

Page

 $              7.41

 $              5.15

 $              6.18

 $              6.12

HS

 

Security

 $            22.90

 $              8.00

 $            12.16

 $            14.35

HS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS 10,000 TO 15,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            23.36

 $              7.18

 $            12.82

 $            13.87

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            11.05

 $              8.64

 $              8.75

 $              9.48

MLS/OAD

 

Librarian III

 $              8.64

 $              8.64

 $              8.64

 $              8.64

BA/BS

 

Librarian II

 $            21.20

 $              6.41

 $            10.79

 $            11.90

MLS/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Librarian I

 $            13.73

 $              6.15

 $              9.17

 $              9.43

OAD/BA/BS/SC

 

Library Assistant III

 $            15.08

 $              6.49

 $              8.06

 $              9.26

BA/BS/HS

 

Library Assistant II

 $            13.01

 $              7.33

 $              8.06

 $              9.06

SC/HS

 

Library Assistant I

 $            12.17

 $              5.15

 $              7.67

 $              7.88

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Clerk III

 $              7.15

 $              6.30

 $              6.59

 $              6.68

SC/HS

 

Clerk II

 $            11.83

 $              7.63

 $              9.73

 $              9.73

SC/HS

 

Clerk I

 $              6.00

 $              5.50

 $              5.75

 $              5.75

HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Administrative Assistant

 $              9.56

 $              6.15

 $              8.00

 $              7.90

SC

 

Public Relations Officer

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Driver

 $            11.17

 $            11.17

 $            11.17

 $            11.17

HS

 

Custodian

 $            12.64

 $              5.00

 $              5.62

 $              7.15

HS

 

Page

 $              6.99

 $              5.13

 $              5.42

 $              5.55

HS

 

Security

 $              8.79

 $              6.99

 $              7.89

 $              7.89

HS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS 5,000 TO 10,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            25.48

 $              6.00

 $            11.45

 $            11.96

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            10.53

 $              5.95

 $              6.13

 $              7.18

BA/BS/SC

 

Librarian III

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Librarian II

 $            10.23

 $              7.40

 $              8.78

 $              8.80

SC

 

Librarian I

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Library Assistant III

 $            12.42

 $              5.30

 $              8.78

 $              9.25

SC

 

Library Assistant II

 $            11.99

 $              5.25

 $              7.51

 $              7.99

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant I

 $            11.56

 $              5.15

 $              9.12

 $              8.68

OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Clerk III

 $              8.73

 $              5.19

 $              8.10

 $              7.31

SC/HS

 

Clerk II

 $              7.51

 $              7.30

 $              7.41

 $              7.41

SC/HS

 

Clerk I

 $              6.50

 $              5.15

 $              6.21

 $              6.02

SC/HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 $            10.23

 $            10.23

 $            10.23

 $            10.23

BA/BS

 

Administrative Assistant

 $            10.53

 $            10.53

 $            10.53

 $            10.53

BA/BS

 

Public Relations Officer

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Driver

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Custodian

 $            10.00

 $              5.15

 $              5.86

 $              6.99

HS

 

Page

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Security

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARIES SERVING POPULATIONS UNDER 5,000

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

 

 

MAXIMUM

MINIMUM

MEDIAN

AVERAGE

 

 

Library Director

 $            21.45

 $              5.15

 $              8.67

 $            10.07

MLS/OAD/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Deputy/Assistant/Associate Director

 $            16.81

 $              5.15

 $              6.75

 $              7.80

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Librarian III

 -

 -

 -

 -

 

 

Librarian II

 $            16.99

 $              7.41

 $            10.99

 $            11.43

SC/HS

 

Librarian I

 $            13.50

 $              5.15

 $            11.52

 $            10.06

MLS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant III

 $              9.88

 $              6.16

 $              7.50

 $              7.85

MLS/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant II

 $              9.01

 $              5.76

 $              7.75

 $              7.49

BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Library Assistant I

 $              9.79

 $              5.15

 $              6.50

 $              6.80

MLS/BA/BS/SC/HS

 

Clerk III

 $              9.33

 $              5.15

 $              7.24

 $              7.24

HS

 

Clerk II

 $              5.90

 $              5.90

 $              5.90

 $              5.90

HS

 

Clerk I

 $            12.86

 $              5.15

 $              6.00

 $              7.46

HS

 

Data Processing Coordinator

 $            11.36

 $              5.50

 $              7.69

 $              8.04

BA/BS

 

Administrative Assistant

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Public Relations Officer

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Driver

 -

 -

 -

 -

-

 

Custodian

 $              8.28

 $              5.31

 $              6.00

 $              6.46

HS

 

Page

 $              7.33

 $              5.25

 $              6.00

 $              6.15

HS

 

Security

 $              5.36

 $              5.36

 $              5.36

 $              5.36

HS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE SURVEY OF PUBLIC LIBRARY SALARIES IN ALABAMA 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PUBLIC LIBRARY EMPLOYEES WITH MLS DEGREES

 

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE OR POSITION

HOURLY WAGE

 

&