What's Here? - Table of Contents
School Librarians
School librarians manage the catalogs in school libraries and work together with students and teachers to improve the library user experience. School librarians are usually licensed as educators first before being endorsed as a library and media specialists. Hence, their pay is similar to that of teachers.
How Are School Librarian Salaries Determined in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) handles the certification of educational professionals and the distribution of grants and subsidies to the institutions. However, the schools determine what each employee earns depending on the number of hours they work, their qualifications, and their experience. The salaries must be decided upon while taking into account recommendations by the Pennsylvania Library Association. This allows school librarians to earn enough to support their personal needs and professional development.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
You become eligible for an annual salary review once you have been in service for a full year. This is usually in addition to the Pennsylvania residency that is required for most jobs in the school system. Your performance over the last academic year as a school librarian will influence the percentages that will be applied to your pay and the extra benefits you will get. Providing impactful services and being involved in professional development programs increase your chances when being considered for a raise.
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in urban areas of Pennsylvania
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 290 | $60,360 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 40 | $56,160 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 40 | $53,240 |
| Erie, PA | 90 | $58,820 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 40 | $55,520 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 250 | $57,140 |
| Johnstown, PA | 70 | $38,880 |
| Lancaster, PA | 180 | $57,110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,360 | $69,180 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 950 | $60,850 |
| Reading, PA | 120 | $63,860 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 150 | $51,160 |
| Williamsport, PA | 50 | $56,980 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 120 | $59,610 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021 |
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in rural areas of Pennsylvania
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 160 | $44,970 |
| Northern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 150 | $45,210 |
| Southern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | 110 | $51,780 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2021 |
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) is a body that represents the interests of school librarians in the state towards ensuring that libraries are functioning properly and effectively. This organization works together with other library organizations at the state and national levels; providing networking opportunities for members. Their resources and conferences on continuing education, equip members with new and improved skills that improve library services. Membership also allows you to be involved in advocacy which looks good on your résumé.
Public Librarians
Public librarians work at state and other public libraries; managing catalogs and organizing clubs and events that are beneficial to library users. Public libraries provide a more diverse catalog of books, DVDs, and learning materials that indigenes can take advantage of.
How Are Public Librarian Salaries Determined in Pennsylvania?
Public librarian salaries are determined by the libraries where they are employed. The rates are fixed following reasonable guidelines by associations like the American Library Association, as can be seen here. This ensures that librarians are rewarded fairly for the professional services which they provide. Factors such as your professional qualifications and experience influence what salary scale you will be placed on.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Public librarians can often position themselves for salary increase by taking part in professional development exercises (courses and certification programs). This shows commitment to progress and helps you stretch your capacity to deliver adequately. Public libraries conduct annual reviews of staff performance which helps them determine how to effect wage increases.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
Public librarians in Pennsylvania can benefit from the continuing education programs and workshops by the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA). This association provides networking opportunities for members as well as advocacy opportunities to prove one’s resourcefulness.
Academic Librarians
Students and members of staff in Universities make use of the libraries for study and research, not just because of the conducive environment but also the wealth of materials available. This is why the services of academic librarians are employed. They can update the library’s catalogs with relevant materials as time advances and keep adequate records of older materials for future references.
How Are Academic Librarian Salaries Determined in Pennsylvania?
Librarian salaries are decided upon by the faculty following the institution’s guidelines and recommendations by relevant organizations such as ALA. These wage rates are decided upon by factoring required qualifications and experience into the equation. This ensures that librarians are rewarded for the professional services that they will be providing. The Pennsylvania State University has a dashboard that compares its librarian salaries to those of other institutions revealing how fair it is.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Institutions of Higher Education are big on progressiveness hence; they conduct annual reviews to see how their employees are performing. This enables them to find staff members that are worthy of promotion, salary raises, and other benefits. Paying attention to your professional development and providing value through advocacy or innovation are great ways to cause the review to favor you concerning a raise.
How Can an Academic Librarian Get Tenured and How Does This Affect Their Lifetime Earning Potential?
The Pennsylvania State University Libraries offer a great example of the process of awarding tenure to outstanding librarians. Universities and colleges permit faculties and departmental chairs to recommend academic professionals for tenure. To be eligible you must have proven yourself worthy through excellent scholarship, leadership, librarianship; and service to the institution, society, and your profession. Tenure is usually associated with a promotion to a distinguished position such as Professor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor.
Are There Any Associations That Provide Help or Resources?
The College and Research Division (CRD) of PaLA provides support for academic libraries and librarians in the state. This division sponsors and coordinates sessions in PaLA annual conferences that major on the issues facing academic libraries. The group also provides advocacy and continuing education opportunities and resources that members can benefit from.