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October 31, 2005
Librarians Make Crap Money
<rant>
Pardon my language, but it's true. In what other profession would, in the same library system, the beginning level tech support person (a position with no secondary education requirements) make more money than the Head of Reference at the Main Branch (of course requiring an MLS degree and supervision of a number of staff)?
Librarians make crap money. Me included. I don't know where this idea that techie librarians make more money than non-techie librarians came from, but it's just not true. Not judging from the salaries of those other techie librarians I know (& my own). It's not like we get bonus points for having tech skills. In fact, I could make more money doing basic level Help Desk support than doing what I do, which requires not only those same technology skills and then some, but also the ability to train, an MLIS, and apparently the willingness to work for (again) crap money.
</rant>
Michael McGrorty has co-authored an article on pay inequity for librarians in American Libraries, and also talks about it on his blog. From his blog post:
The bottom line is this: at the finest public library system in the nation, the starting salary, adjusted for cost of living, comes out to $12,833. That is simply a crime, and one that should be addressed by two parties: the management of the enterprise, and the leadership of the American Library Association.
Why isn't ALA more active in this regard? Why don't our managers stick up for us to our parent organizations (cities, counties, universities, schools)? Are we really that worthless?
October 31, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
Because ALA doesn't give a flip about librarians. They're perfectly happy to flood the labor market with 'em and let libraries pay 'em garbage.
The evidence is everywhere. Sometimes I wonder why any self-respecting librarian belongs to ALA.
Posted by: Dorothea Salo | October31, 2005
They probably belong for the publications. I know I do it mostly to get the publications (and it looks good on the old resume). It is criminal, and it is so because it is librarians doing it to other librarians, often under the guise of "we went through hell, you have to as well." Were it not for the fact that I like what I do and believe in it, I would likely exercise my options to go into a different field. I get the impression a few in the biblioblogosphere will pick up on this. I will be interested in what they say.
Posted by: Angel | October31, 2005
Rave on, LIB!
There's quite a discussion going on about this on the Council list right now, and folks are all over the map on it. Well, one person thinks we're whiny babies and should think about how bad librarians have it in Mexico. Others point out that ALA doesn't deal with salaries, that it's the ALA-APA that should be discussing it. The story is that because of ALA's tax status, they are not allowed to advocate or lobby for librarians. They're a LIBRARY association, which is why the ALA-APA was created. Except no one knows anything about ALA-APA and lots would like to see it disappear.
http://lp-web.ala.org:8000/guest/archives/ALACOUN/log0510/threads.html
As for the techies making more money than non-techie library workers, I only have my own experience to go on. Our webmaster, who is really great at what he does, came in with only an Associate's Degree, in a management position, making at least $5000 more per year than an MLS-required Librarian I. But, my workplace is really screwy that way, with Librarians in the bargaining unit and having no opportunity for merit-based raises OR promotion. Suck-o, indeed.
Posted by: rochelle | October31, 2005
There is always one or two who will call the victims "whiny babies." It's the same ones who help continue the criminal culture of devaluing librarians and other professionals. Of course, if you dare question them, they will simply question you back in terms that you are not a good enough professional,or heck, you may even be un-American. Barbara Ehrenreich has a thing or two to say about such people, which I think adds nicely to the discussion. I made a note on my blog if anyone wants to take a look, or they can read a recent interview with her. The link for that is: http://www.alternet.org/rights/27019/. I don't know about other people, but the idea that I am guilty of something for wanting a decent living wage for me and others in the profession is starting to get old. I hope it does for others as well. Best.
Posted by: Angel | October31, 2005
The Medical Libraries Association has hardly been an advocate for medical librarians. We figure that is why it's the Medical LIBRARIES Association and not LIBRARIANS.
Unforunately I believe that as long as there are librarians (myself included since I haven't left the profession yet) that work for lower wages employers will not find a need to increase said wages. My ex-husband, who was a Cisco network person at the same health system in which I work, made twice as much money as I but he only had a high school diploma and I have a masters degree.
There has to be something we, as profession, can do. I'm just not sure what.
Posted by: Alexia | November 1, 2005
I've always wondered how a professional organization can represent the needs of the institution and the employee. It's impossible, right? ALA represents libraries and -- especially in this economy -- it is not in the best interests of libraries to pay librarians a decent wage. Just like it is in the best interest of libraries to have a ready supply of librarians, which means the ALA probably will never tighten accreditation standards at library schools. The more librarians willing to work for peanuts (because they don't have a choice), the better it is for libraries.
When I was a social worker, I was a member of the National Association of Social Workers. It represented US, not the people who employed us. And that's why it did such a great job getting us insurance, lobbying for better pay, and keeping accredited social work schools on a tight leash. Why can't the ALA do the same? Because they don't represent us. Plain and simple.
Posted by: Meredith | November 1, 2005
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Salaries of librarians vary according to the individual’s qualifications and the type, size, and location of the library. Librarians with primarily administrative duties often have greater earnings. Median annual earnings of librarians in May 2006
were $49,060. The middle 50 percent earned between $39,250 and $60,800. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $30,930, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,670.
Posted by: Lili | August20, 2008
