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Salaries
Librarians and library workers perform important work and services for
patrons, the community, and all society. It is therefore only fair that their
valuable contribution be recognized with fair and equitable compensation in
the form of wages and other benefits. It is appropriate for ALA to articulate,
publicize, and champion the valuable resources and important services that
libraries and library workers contribute to our society.
Although ALA should dedicate itself to making the public aware of the value
of librarians and library workers, the initiative and effort to improve
salaries and other compensation is a local issue shaped by local
circumstances. Library directors and boards responsible for preparing and
approving library budgets should make every effort to insure that all
compensation offered to library professionals and staff is equitable compared
to similar employment positions in that community.
Library wages should be attractive enough to draw the best candidates for each
job position and fair enough to reward, encourage, and retain workers once
library employees are on the job. The high costs of staff turnover (e.g.
recruitment, hiring and training) make it a smart investment for communities
to compensate productive and dedicated workers so that library employees stay
with and improve their local libraries, residents and culture.
Better funding of libraries in general facilitates fair compensation for all
library workers. It is the responsibility of library directors and governing
bodies to make sure library workers’ wages are competitive and in line with
the cost of living in the locale. It is the responsibility of ALA to support
them in that important endeavor.
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