School cost me cash, but work gets me peanuts

Okay, so librarians DO NOT get into the profession to become rich. That is understood. No one goes in saying they want to be The Millionaire Librarian. And even the most well paid librarians are making about $300,000 at most (the director of the New York Public Library).

But recently I’ve realized that it doesn’t benefit me to keep taking low paying jobs because they sound cool or would provide me with some neat professional experience. At 28 years old, with college debt and a rapidly rising cost-of-living, neat experiences aren’t going to help me with my financial goals. Yes, I know, long term benefits, blah blah blah…but I need to pay my bills now.

I had to turn down a great job offer because they wouldn’t help me moving expenses. I did the math and taking the job would have put me in debt. It was a resident gig – a two year stint, it was across the country. I see their perspective, but in turn, I also know mine. So here are a few notes from this experience:

Library World – Listen up:
- Librarians are generally altruistic. We love what we do and we make financial sacrifices to do that. Don’t take advantage of that however, because in the long run, it harms the entire profession.
- Travel, whether it is moving expenses or a monthly thing that is part of the job, should be compensated fro appropriately. Certainly don’t support the person who insists on living two hours away from work…that’s their problem. But do work with those who are in the car and on planes trying to represent your organization.
- A public librarian and an academic librarian can expect very different salaries in some cases. But it’s up to administration to provide salaries that are slightly on the higher end. It raises the overall budget and as you know, you keep getting what you spend if you prove it was spent wisely. Hire high quality people, give them decent money, and provide statistics to the higher-ups as to why they’re valuable.
- Put your cards on the table…and then rearrange them if you can. Being up front as possible about pay and benefits is helpful. Most places are. But if your pay or benefits aren’t that great, it’s time to start considering the types of benefits that are easy to provide but don’t cost much – additional vacation days here or there, support of efforts to write and publish, etc.

And Librarians, you listen too…
- Request a salary, then work hard and prove that you deserve it, everyday. Be proactive, positive, and idea-oriented. Make things happen and don’t be afraid to boast to your administration.
- It’s okay to belly up to the bargaining table. Set your parameters. Go in with an idea of what you can live with or without. Know all the things that are up for grabs, from health insurance to vacation days to travel money.
- Be positive. Our profession has a tendency to be Eeyore-like. In perspective, we have it just about the same as any other profession. Any other company will tell you they are struggling to gain greater community exposure or coping with weird customers or trying to do more with fewer assets. Your hardship isn’t more than anyone else’s because you’re a non-profit. You can sink or swim…best get to swimming.
- Live within in your means…and document it. I keep all of my financial info in order via my checkbook register. Every time I swipe my debit card, I write it down. And I keep an Excel spreadsheet…it has three columns – a budget based on what I make now, a budget of what I might make on any job I’m currently considering, and a budget based on the “ideal” salary (and it’s reasonable, not a million bucks, more like $48,000 at most). That way, when I bargain, I can say “listen, I’ve done the math, this is what I need. I wish I could say I can take less, but these are the numbers”.
- And lastly…just be honest. Just tell them the reasons why you can or cannot afford to take their job. Sometimes reality is MUCH better than bluffing.

Well, that’s my rant for the day. Can’t help but get that off my chest. In this economy, you need to put it all out there…and so I did! -C