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Assistant Library Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Library Manager

Hanford, CA · On-site

$79K - $97K/yr

Performs full range of Senior Library Assistant and Librarian duties. Conducts studies and ... Acts as the Library Director in their absence. Oversees the maintenance of library facilities and ...

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Assistant Library Director information

See California salary details

$24.7K

$71K

$145.1K

How much do assistant library director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for assistant library director in California is $71,028.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $43,900.00 and $88,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an assistant library director do?

An Assistant Library Director supports the Library Director in managing daily operations, staff supervision, and program development within a library. They often help set policies, oversee budgets, coordinate services, and ensure that the library meets the needs of its community. This role may also involve representing the library at public events, assisting with strategic planning, and implementing new technologies or services to improve library operations. The Assistant Library Director is a key leader who ensures that the library runs smoothly and efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an assistant library director?

To thrive as an Assistant Library Director, you need strong leadership abilities, library science expertise, and typically a master’s degree in library science (MLS/MLIS). Familiarity with integrated library systems (ILS), digital resource management tools, and library-specific databases is essential. Excellent communication, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills help you effectively support staff and serve diverse patron needs. These skills ensure efficient library operations, foster a positive work environment, and drive community engagement and resource access.

What are some typical challenges faced by an assistant library director in managing both staff and resources?

Assistant Library Directors often balance multiple responsibilities, including supervising staff, managing budgets, and ensuring efficient library operations. One common challenge is fostering collaboration among diverse teams while adapting to changing technologies and patron needs. They must also address resource constraints, set priorities for collection development, and implement new programs or services. Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are essential to maintain a positive work environment and achieve organizational goals.

What is the difference between Assistant Library Director vs Librarian?

AspectAssistant Library DirectorLibrarian
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often a master's in library science (MLS) or equivalentMaster's degree in library science (MLS) or equivalent
Work EnvironmentAdministrative offices, overseeing library operationsPublic service desks, cataloging, research, and collection management
Employer & Industry UsagePublic, academic, or special libraries; leadership rolePublic, academic, or special libraries; professional role
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding leadership and administrative differencesUnderstanding professional duties and qualifications

The Assistant Library Director typically holds an advanced degree and focuses on administrative and leadership responsibilities within a library. In contrast, a Librarian primarily engages in direct public service, research, and collection management. Both roles require a master's degree in library science, but their daily tasks and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Assistant Library Director jobs in California?

For Assistant Library Director jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Assistant Library Director jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Assistant Library Director jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Assistant Library Director jobs?

Cities in California with the most Assistant Library Director job openings:

Infographic showing various Assistant Library Director job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,028 per year, or $34.1 per hour.

Special Assistant, Library

County of Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$88K - $119K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago


County Of Los Angeles rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

387th of 855 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Salary : $88,388.88 - $119,111.04 Annually
Location : Los Angeles County, CA
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: Q8348F
Department: PUBLIC LIBRARY
Opening Date: 08/27/2026
Position/Program Information
Exam Number
Q8348F
Type of Recruitment
We welcome applications from anyone.
Application Filing Period
The application filing period will begin on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) and will remain open continuously. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.
Join Us and Make an Impact
LA County Library provides services to 3.4 million people over 3,000 square miles. It operates 86 libraries, 4 Cultural Resource Centers, and a mobile fleet consisting of 15 vehicles. This fleet includes 4 Bookmobiles, 6 MakMo's (maker mobiles), 3 Reading Machines (early literacy vehicles), and 2 mobile outreach vehicles.
LA County Library strives to build and keep a skilled and diverse staff where employees' outstanding qualities are respected and appreciated. This approach helps us address the different needs of the varied customers we serve. The library supports an inclusive environment that encourages cooperation, adaptability, and fairness, allowing everyone to engage fully and contribute their best.
The Team Member We Are Looking For
We are looking for a Special Assistant, Library who is organized, dependable, and supports the department's mission. The ideal candidate communicates effectively, builds positive relationships, and is dedicated to serving the community.
Benefit Information
For details regarding benefits offered by County of Los Angeles, kindly follow this link:
Essential Job Functions
In the role of Special Assistant, Library, you will:
  • Design, develop, and implement departmental objectives, goals, programs, policies, events, and curricula in relation to provision of public services and customer education and engagement.

  • Develop, implement, and evaluate plans, processes, and procedures to achieve established goals and objectives in accordance with departmental standards.
  • Advocate for the perspective of the division during the development of new library policies, programs, strategies, events, and procedures.
  • Under the general direction of the Assistant Director, coordinate and execute special projects and studies that address complex issues impacting departmental operations.
  • Plan and direct public relations events to promote library services and enhance community and customer engagement.
  • Serve as an operational liaison between divisions, and establishes partnerships with County departments, agencies, and jurisdictions to support collaborative initiatives.
  • Analyze and evaluate the impact of new or proposed legislation and programs on departmental operations and goals.
  • Develop and manage the issuance of procedural manuals, statistical data reports, and highly sensitive documents to facilitate internal planning, operations, and communication between divisions.
  • Plan, implement, and oversee educational programs, events, and joint initiatives, such as after-school programs, literacy initiatives, and art workshops tailored to various demographics, including children, teens, adults, older adults, English language learners, etc.
  • Prepare budget proposals and oversee the procurement of essential equipment and supplies to support library services and programs.
  • Plan, assign, and oversee the work of assigned staff, including providing training and managing performance; also oversee other staffing assignments within the division to support efficient operations.
  • Handle sensitive or complex inquiries and complaints through written and verbal communication and prepare official correspondence and supporting documents to maintain clarity and alignment with organizational communication standards.

Requirements
There are two (2) options to qualify:
Option I: Three years of work experience in a staff capacity* analyzing organizational structure, procedures, programs, budgets, or personnel matters, and making recommendations for the solution of related problems.
  • At least one (1) year of the required experience must have been in a library system, educational environment, community-based organization, or closely related field**.

  • One (1) year of staff capacity experience may be substituted with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university***.

Option II: Two years of experience at the level of**** the Los Angeles County class of Librarian IV***** performing any of the following:
  • managing a large sized community library
  • coordinating a regional specialized library service
  • performing specialized professional library work over a department-wide program
  • performing technical support functions.

Desirable Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree or higher in Education, Arts Administration, Visual or Performing Arts, Cultural Studies, Museums Studies, or a closely related field.
  • Experience overseeing the development and implementation of comprehensive arts, cultural, and community programs, such as arts, and museum education, cultural programs, festivals, and community events.

License
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.
Physical Class 2 - Light
This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.
Special Requirement Information:
No Out-of-Class experience or withhold will be allowed. Required experience/education must be fully met at the time of filing and clearly indicated on the application.
*Staff capacity is defined as serving in an advisory and program support capacity to line managers and administrators by independently conducting research, analysis, evaluation, and making recommendations regarding the development, coordination, implementation, and improvement of educational programs, curriculum, training, initiatives, community education efforts, or instructional services. Work includes assessing program needs, developing recommendations, evaluating programs effectiveness, and providing technical guidance and administrative support to advance organizational goals and educational objectives.
**Closely related fields include organizations or agencies that provide public, educational, cultural, governmental, nonprofit, or community-based services.
***To receive credit for your education, include a legible copy of all relevant official documents, including your diploma, transcript, or letter/certificate from an accredited institution or email it to LibraryExams@library.lacounty.gov within seven (7) days of filing your application. The document should show the date the degree was conferred and be in English. If not in English, then translation is required. International degrees must be evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards if not listed in the International Handbook of Universities or World Higher Education Database. Documents marked as unofficial will not be accepted. For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:
We do not accept password-protected documents or cloud-based links. Ensure documents are unlocked or downloaded before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.
****At the level of: You may still qualify even if your job title isn't exactly the same as the ones listed. What matters is that your experience is at a similar level, meaning your job involves similar responsibilities, requires comparable skills and knowledge, and takes place within a similar organizational structure. Please provide a clear explanation of your experience to demonstrate that it is at the appropriate level.
*****For a complete description of County of Los Angeles Librarian IV classification, kindly follow this link:
Additional Information
Our Assessment Process
The assessment will consist of a Training & Experience (T&E) Evaluation: This assessment will evaluate the training, experience, education, and desirable qualifications you provided in the supplemental questionnaire, and it is worth 100% of your total score.
Additional credit may be given to applicants who possess the desirable qualifications.
Applicants must receive a passing score of 70% or higher on the assessment to be added to the eligible list.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
Eligibility and Vacancy
Applicants who passed the assessment are placed on a list in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months. Applications will be processed as they are received and added to the list accordingly. We will use this list to fill vacancies in LA County Library as they occur.
Available Shift
Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Application and Filing
We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. Mail, fax, or in person are not accepted. Apply online by clicking the green "Apply" button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.
Please fill out the application completely. Provide relevant job experience including employer's name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.
We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or class specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and may lead to disqualification.
We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicant's responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail:
New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses.
Social Security Number
Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.
No Sharing of User ID and Password
All applicants must file their application online using their OWN user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.
Computer & Internet Access at Public Libraries
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County. Refer to their website for updated information at
Testing Accommodation
If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, contact the Testing Accommodations Coordinator/Lizette Contreras at We require a completed Request for Reasonable Accommodation form as well as supporting documentation from a qualified professional justifying the request. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond and keep you moving through the process.
Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. LA County Library is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst races. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.
Department Contact Information
Exam Analyst: Lizette Contreras,
Testing Accommodation Email:
Teletype Phone: (562) 940-8477
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Employment Information
Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.
This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.
Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:
The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit:
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