McHenry Public Library District Success Story: Base Compensation Study
Having worked with public libraries of all sizes across the Midwest and beyond, we’ve come to appreciate that every library system…whether a large multi-branch district or a focused community library…faces the same fundamental challenge: competing for talent in a tight labor market. Working with McHenry Public Library District on a base compensation study recently reinforced just how critical it is for libraries to understand the true cost of labor for every position so they can attract, retain, and reward the people who make their mission possible.
McHenry Public Library District is a vibrant public library located in McHenry, Illinois, serving approximately 41,000 residents of the city and surrounding communities in McHenry County. The library enriches community life through responsive services that meet diverse informational, educational, and recreational needs. As a single-facility district with deep roots in its growing suburban-rural community, McHenry Public Library District connects people of all ages to knowledge, opportunity, and each other.
Client perspective
Our project partners were Executive Director Lesley Jakacki and HR Generalist Jennifer May. They said:
Like many libraries of our size, we operate in a competitive local labor market where we compete not only with other libraries but with every employer seeking talented staff. To make sure we understand the true cost of labor and can position ourselves effectively, we asked OA to conduct a comprehensive base compensation study…the first in some time.
They began by carefully analyzing our existing pay system and structure, then developed a clear compensation philosophy framework tailored to our library and community. From there they fully benchmarked every position using both broad market data and library-specific information, giving us job-level insights that showed exactly where we stood and where we needed to focus to stay competitive. Their recommendations for improvements were practical, transparent, and designed so we can maintain and update the program ourselves going forward.
Throughout the engagement OA kept us fully informed, checked in regularly, and shared best practices and tools we continue to use. Their experience working with library directors, HR teams, and boards was evident, and they have remained available even after the project concluded. We truly appreciate their partnership and the solid foundation they helped us build.
Comparing compensation practices across libraries is valuable, yet the competition for both professional and support staff extends far beyond the library world…every employer in the community is competing for the same talent. That is why a thorough base compensation study must blend library-specific benchmarks with broader market data to reveal the true cost of labor in the region. Equally important is establishing a clear compensation philosophy framework that guides how the data will be applied, then equipping the library with practical tools and a structure that is fair, consistent, and easy to maintain over time. This is the process we followed with McHenry Public Library District and the approach we bring to every client partnership.
Organizational Architecture is the trusted partner of nearly 50 library systems for compensation, recruiting, performance management, and leadership development. If you need help in any of these areas, contact us and check out other public library success stories to learn more.