I'm not sure what category this would fall under as I am not job hunting but looking for ways to bring my salary in line with my coworkers. I work at a large state university library. I first started at a branch campus and was happy to accept a lower salary to get my foot in the door. At the branch campus, I had multiple responsibilities - reference, circ, ILL, putting paper in the printer - sort of a jack of all trades. It was really a little branch library - just a large room. Although a professional librarian, my position was classified as staff.
Because of budget concerns, the branch campus closed and I was given the opportunity to work on the main campus. Here I do strictly academic reference ( desk, email, VR) and also teach info literacy classes. I have started creating LIBGuides and tutorials - and I welcome all additional duties.
However, I am grossly underpaid compared to the other librarians. They all have faculty status but the biggest issue is that I am earning approx $7000 less that even the lowest paid librarian. As we are a state school, salaries are public record.
While I do not have all the responsibilities of the other librarians, I do believe I am not getting paid what I bring to the position. I have a number of years of experience and two masters degrees.
The other problem in regards to this, is of course, the diminishing budget. The university already has reduced the budget and we even have mandatory furlough days. So it seems like asking for more money would be futile.
Thanks for reading this. I am grateful to have a job in this economic climate but it just seems so unfair.

Thanks for the response.
Actually, I do not do less in terms of responsibilities. At the little branch library, although I did multiple tasks, we are talking about a very small student population. That library was never busy. At the main campus, there are approx 30,000 students so my reference and teaching duties are greatly increased. For instance, next week, I am teaching at least 2 classes daily of at least 25- 30 students, have ownership of several LibGuides that need updating, a few meetings, not including my hours at the desk and VR. The only difference between me and the subject librarians (who have faculty status) is that they do more course specific classes, and collection development for their subjects, plus whatever faculty committees they are on. It is not a tenure position although of course, many of them do write, present etc. I would do that but a stubborn part of me says "you get what you pay for" - if I am going to be paid what the library associates are making, I see no reason to do faculty work.
I agree that the best time to negotiate would have been at the beginning. However, it was strongly hinted that I should be grateful for continued employment in any capacity...and believe me I am.

If you look I said you do less in terms of types of responsibilities, which matches you description that you have less tasks now. I did not say you did less in terms of level or responsibility or value. It is always easier for someone in an organization to see you "rank" in terms of the amount of tasks you do but it can be had to see your rank in terms of value of your tasks. One is quantitative so easy to see and the other is qualitative which means left to judgment.

Doing extras like conference and papers does show the initiative to get you the promotion you want. Remember even though you had a history with the organization, you are essentially need to reprove yourself because you have new colleagues around. Writing, presentations, etc. are a sign of commitment to self improvement and the success of the organization, and are not considered just tasks of faculty. If it does not help you within this organization, it greatly prepares you for other future opportunities.

I would consider Hollis's advice, even if it means suggesting a change in positions that has never occurred.

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Brian C. Gray
Head of Reference & Engineering Librarian
Kelvin Smith Library
Case Western Reserve University
http://blog.case.edu/bcg8
bcg8@case.edu

I too was wondering about this come annual review time. I was grateful to get started in the field just 3 weeks after graduation but I would like to move into an average percentile of pay. Would presenting statistics regarding pay norms for the field I work in be of a benefit for this?