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Access services librarian vs cataloger

The differences between access services librarians and catalogers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an access services librarian and a cataloger. Additionally, an access services librarian has an average salary of $49,899, which is higher than the $34,943 average annual salary of a cataloger.

The top three skills for an access services librarian include library services, library resources and library system. The most important skills for a cataloger are library catalog, RDA, and cataloging.

Access services librarian vs cataloger overview

Access Services LibrarianCataloger
Yearly salary$49,899$34,943
Hourly rate$23.99$16.80
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs61,52593
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Access services librarian vs cataloger salary

Access services librarians and catalogers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Access Services LibrarianCataloger
Average salary$49,899$34,943
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $23,000 And $52,000
Highest paying City-New Haven, CT
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Harvard University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between access services librarian and cataloger education

There are a few differences between an access services librarian and a cataloger in terms of educational background:

Access Services LibrarianCataloger
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorEnglishHistory
Most common collegeUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Access services librarian vs cataloger demographics

Here are the differences between access services librarians' and catalogers' demographics:

Access Services LibrarianCataloger
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 34.4% Female, 65.6%Male, 37.9% Female, 62.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between access services librarian and cataloger duties and responsibilities

Access services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Identify and refer items that need attention of the cataloging or conservation department
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Cataloger example responsibilities.

  • Manage category of materials: including books, CDs, films and other documents.
  • Assign subject headings using LCSH.
  • Cataloge books and serials for all the school district libraries.
  • Master the use of cataloguing resources such as WorldCat and HomeBase.
  • Assist librarians in other EPA libraries with the conversion of their serials list.
  • Assign LCSH and LCC, as well as a local classification system for legal treatises.
  • Show more

Access services librarian vs cataloger skills

Common access services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 17%
  • Library Resources, 12%
  • Library System, 12%
  • Collection Development, 11%
  • Library Materials, 10%
  • Course Reserves, 5%
Common cataloger skills
  • Library Catalog, 13%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Cataloging, 11%
  • OCLC, 8%
  • Online Database, 8%
  • Lcsh, 6%

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