What's Here? - Table of Contents
School Librarians
The schooling system relies on the library as a resource center for teachers and students. This is why it must be managed by a certified and qualified school librarian. As a school librarian, you will be required to put your organizational and communication skills to use every day. Your motivation to give your best might be affected by your remuneration.
How Are School Librarian Salaries Determined in Oklahoma?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is responsible for certifying school librarians who are employed in different institutions within the state. Public schools are government-funded, hence it is expected that the government takes into account what is considered fair pay for staff members in each department. However, it is up to each school to place school librarians and other staff members on salary scales commensurate with their qualifications and level of experience.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
The Oklahoma State Department of Education is passionate about improving the quality of library services, hence the initiation of School Library Programs. These support school librarians, enabling them to maintain accreditation standards in an effective library. As you take part in these and other professional development exercises, you increase your opportunities for a raise. Schools conduct reviews of the performances of their employees over the past year when considering them for raises.
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in urban areas of Oklahoma
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Enid, OK | 50 | $50,840 |
| Lawton, OK | 70 | $64,000 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 730 | $57,940 |
| Tulsa, OK | 430 | $59,140 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Librarians and Media Specialists Salaries in rural areas of Oklahoma
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | 140 | $46,340 |
| Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | 150 | $44,960 |
| Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | 90 | $44,560 |
| Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | 660 | $50,510 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
Oklahoma Library Association (OLA) has a section for school librarians called the Oklahoma School Librarians Division (OKSL). They provide a community for school librarians where they can rub minds and share beneficial resources through webinars and workshops. These are important for professional development which increases your chances of getting a raise. This division works together with others and other associations that represent the interests of school librarians in Oklahoma.
Public Librarians
Oklahoma is home to 214 public libraries. Public libraries have a more diverse catalog than school libraries as they have to cater to people of all ages. They also usually have numerous books on history. They are managed by public librarians.
How Are Public Librarian Salaries Determined in Oklahoma?
Public libraries determine the salaries of public librarians employed at their institutions. They consider the resources available as well as your qualifications and experience. Public librarians with higher qualifications such as a master’s degree usually earn more.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Yearly reviews of performance are conducted on every member of staff to consider them for raises and other benefits as rewards for excellent performance. Particular attention is paid to giving oneself to continuing education activities and implementing positive changes. If you do these, you are likely to be considered for some extra benefits in addition to a raise. The percentages and requirements for the increase may vary from one library to the other.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
OLA also has a Public Library Division (PLD) that provides a platform for public librarians in Oklahoma to network and benefit from each other’s ideas and techniques for improving library services. The discussions usually center around issues that concern the welfare of public librarians and how public libraries can serve users better.
Academic Librarians
Academic and research librarians are an important part of the library community in any state because they introduce new and improved methods for organizing catalogs and teaching media and referencing techniques. Being in an academic environment makes it all the more expedient that they pay attention to professional development.
How Are Academic Librarian Salaries Determined in Oklahoma?
The salaries of academic librarians are determined by the respective institutions of higher education. Given that you will be expected to carry out research and organize courses to or teach students how to take advantage of current materials and reference older ones, you will be required to have qualifications that compare with those of lecturers and that enable you to discharge your duties properly.
How Can One Increase Their Salary?
Institutions of higher learning conduct reviews of the performance of staff members over the past academic year. They pay attention to professional development exploits and scholarly achievements. This is necessary because promotions and bonuses are usually awarded based on merit and proof that such a promotion or benefit will affect the growth of the school positively. These institutions usually also have requirements for increasing salaries across the board for eligible staff members. However, it is in your best interest that you take advantage of continuing education programs.
How Can an Academic Librarian Get Tenured and How Does This Affect Their Lifetime Earning Potential?
Universities in Oklahoma award tenure to eligible academic librarians. Here is a summary of the process from a 2015 OLA conference. The library department sets the requirements for the tenure process based on the school handbook. The review process involves checking for excellent scholarly records, contributions to the advancement of the profession, and support of the institution’s values and visions.
Associations That Provide Help or Resources
The Oklahoma chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (OK-ACRL) is an association for Oklahoma students, librarians, and other library staff. They provide resources to help academic librarians in career development and improving the quality of library service. Their conferences present an excellent networking opportunity. The University and College division of OLA also provides helpful resources for academic librarians. These associations present awards to distinguished members which will give booster points when they are being considered for promotions or tenure.