Post job

Catalog library assistant vs reference assistant

The differences between catalog library assistants and reference assistants 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 $27,874 average annual salary of a reference assistant.

The top three skills for a catalog library assistant include OCLC, library catalog and cataloging. The most important skills for a reference assistant are library materials, library patrons, and interlibrary loan.

Catalog library assistant vs reference assistant overview

Catalog Library AssistantReference Assistant
Yearly salary$37,403$27,874
Hourly rate$17.98$13.40
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,068658
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Catalog library assistant vs reference assistant salary

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

Catalog Library AssistantReference Assistant
Average salary$37,403$27,874
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $50,000Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between catalog library assistant and reference assistant education

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

Catalog Library AssistantReference Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorArea StudiesEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Catalog library assistant vs reference assistant demographics

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

Catalog Library AssistantReference Assistant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 34.0% Female, 66.0%Male, 32.3% Female, 67.7%
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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between catalog library assistant and reference assistant 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.

Reference assistant example responsibilities.

  • Construct and manage subject LibGuides.
  • Manage yearly budget for DVDs.
  • Search for and retrieve cases from online databases such as Westlaw and Lexis-Nexis.
  • Prepare library libguides and bibliographies on various areas of law.
  • Train fellow staff members in inter-library loan procedures and online database, OCLC.
  • Process requests for journal articles and books from RapidILL, OCLC, and DOCLINE.
  • Show more

Catalog library assistant vs reference assistant skills

Common catalog library assistant skills
  • OCLC, 25%
  • Library Catalog, 15%
  • Cataloging, 14%
  • Library System, 11%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Library Collection, 8%
Common reference assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 8%
  • Library Patrons, 7%
  • Interlibrary Loan, 6%
  • Reference Desk, 6%
  • Reference Services, 6%
  • Library Resources, 5%

Browse office and administrative jobs