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Catalog library assistant vs circulation clerk

The differences between catalog library assistants and circulation clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a catalog library assistant has an average salary of $37,403, which is higher than the $24,325 average annual salary of a circulation clerk.

The top three skills for a catalog library assistant include OCLC, library catalog and cataloging. The most important skills for a circulation clerk are customer service, patron accounts, and library materials.

Catalog library assistant vs circulation clerk overview

Catalog Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Yearly salary$37,403$24,325
Hourly rate$17.98$11.69
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,06866,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Catalog library assistant vs circulation clerk salary

Catalog library assistants and circulation clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Catalog Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Average salary$37,403$24,325
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $19,000 And $30,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between catalog library assistant and circulation clerk education

There are a few differences between a catalog library assistant and a circulation clerk in terms of educational background:

Catalog Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorArea StudiesBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkStanford University

Catalog library assistant vs circulation clerk demographics

Here are the differences between catalog library assistants' and circulation clerks' demographics:

Catalog Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 34.0% Female, 66.0%Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 6.5% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between catalog library assistant and circulation clerk duties and responsibilities

Catalog library assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage database reports for acquisitions, inventory, circulation statistics, and cataloging.
  • Search, input, and retrieve information on the OCLC database.
  • Develop and revise MARC records for new and existing print materials.
  • Process books for circulation, including cataloging and preparation for commercial bindery.
  • Manage database reports for acquisitions, inventory, circulation statistics, and cataloging.
  • Develop and maintain young adult fiction/nonfiction collection.

Circulation clerk example responsibilities.

  • Create displays for checkout material (fiction, DVDs, children's section, etc . )
  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Issue library cards to customers and collect fines for books, CDs, and videos.
  • Catalogue and stack books, movies, CDs, records and periodicals.
  • Help troubleshoot technology relate issues.

Catalog library assistant vs circulation clerk skills

Common catalog library assistant skills
  • OCLC, 25%
  • Library Catalog, 15%
  • Cataloging, 14%
  • Library System, 11%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Library Collection, 8%
Common circulation clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Patron Accounts, 18%
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 6%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Issue Library Cards, 3%

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