| Summary: | Nationwide data were collected and analyzed relating to the career profiles of public library administrators. The chi-square test of statistical significance was used to investigate the association of the independent variables of education, professional experience, and personal and family characteristics to career progression, salary and library support level for males and females. Library support level was determined by the total operating budget, the size of the materials collection, the number of professionals employed, and their beginning salaries. === Questionnaires were mailed to the directors of 420 public library agencies serving populations of 100,000 or more, as identified in the American Library Directory, 35th edition. Useable responses were received from 321 (76.43 percent) of the directors, 189 (58.88 percent) from males, and 132 (41.12) from females. === It was concluded that male directors are paid higher salaries, and that the libraries they direct have higher support levels. A significantly higher number of older females with more years of professional experience reported yearly salaries of $30,000 or less. Males were paid higher salaries regardless of initial aspirations for administration or the number of career interruptions. Salaries for men and women were not significantly different for single directors and for directors with a subject master's degree in addition to a master's in library science. Dual career paths were identified; males were more likely to have been employed in several libraries in progressively higher positions and females advanced from within a single organization. Greater mobility and an active network system were perceived as assets for males. === Libraries directed by males had larger operating budgets, employed more professionals, and the entry level salaries for professionals were higher. The sizes of the materials collections were not significantly different. === Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 45-12, Section: A, page: 3470. === Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1984.
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