Librarian Compensation Handbook: A Guide for Administrators, Librarians and Staff (review)

From library administrators to clerical aides, compensation policies and practices affect all library employees. Simply stated, employee compensation involves everything an employee receives in return for work performed and includes, but is not limited to, wages and benefits. In today's world of expensive library materials, employee compensation remains a major cost in all types of libraries, and it is not unusual that salaries and benefits demand the largest portion of a library's budget.

Astute library administrators realize that organizations that effectively handle compensation issues rarely become engrossed in compensation discussions except during performance evaluations or contract renewal periods. However, organizations that do not effectively communicate and handle compensation issues quickly find themselves entangled in a discouraged working environment where employees are constantly discussing their dissatisfaction and are less motivated to strive for stellar performances.

Therefore, it is becoming increasingly important that today's library administrators have a basic understanding of compensation issues, as well as the ability to effectively communicate established policies and procedures with employees. They have an obligation to not only communicate to employees the availability and types of compensations, but they also have the increased responsibility of helping staff understand how compensations are determined and how the compensation process can be effectively influenced.

It is surprising, therefore, that training for library administrators concerning an organization's compensation plans, policies, and procedures is rarely provided. This situation is quickly compounded by the fact that compensation and benefits is one area that is not often or fully addressed as part of a library management course curriculum. The Library Compensation Handbook: A Guide for Administrators, Librarians and Staff fills a foundational void faced by many library administrators. It is a welcome tool on the management bookshelf, with the chapters on compensation laws and compensation administration the most helpful.

This Handbook is organized into 13 chapters. Several of the beginning chapters provide a basic understanding of compensation issues that would be highlighted in an entry-level business compensation course. These issues include historical background, the development of internal job structures, job analysis, how to develop a pay structure, and the pros and cons of various job evaluation systems. The information in these chapters provides accurate basic information in an easy to read format. The usefulness of this information for administrators, librarians, and staff is questionable, however, since most library administrators play no role in the development and revision of compensation programs. Nevertheless, as a recent MPA student, I see great value in these chapters and would strongly support purchasing the book as an additional text for librarians in MPA or MBA programs or for librarians with significant responsibility for administering compensation programs.

The strength of this book is found in several chapters toward the end. The chapters "Wage Gap and Pay Equity," "Addressing Pay issues in Libraries," and "Compensation Administration in Libraries" provide sound advice for the administrator trying to fairly manage an organization and equally sound advice for librarians or staff members interested in addressing a current compensation discrepancy. The chapter entitled "Laws Affecting Library Compensation" is especially well documented, organized, and written. This is the chapter that makes this publication a handbook for future reference.

This is a well researched and clearly written resource that provides assistance for administering compensation issues in most library situations. Complex compensation issues are presented in an understandable fashion with in-depth explanations of principles, and several of the ending chapters provide especially helpful suggestions. While the title suggests that the book is helpful for administrators, librarians, and staff, this book is most helpful as a reference source for library administrators who have significant personnel management responsibilities.