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Cataloger vs law librarian

The differences between catalogers and law librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a cataloger and a law librarian. Additionally, a law librarian has an average salary of $51,708, which is higher than the $34,943 average annual salary of a cataloger.

The top three skills for a cataloger include library catalog, RDA and cataloging. The most important skills for a law librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Cataloger vs law librarian overview

CatalogerLaw Librarian
Yearly salary$34,943$51,708
Hourly rate$16.80$24.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs931,813
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Cataloger vs law librarian salary

Catalogers and law librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

CatalogerLaw Librarian
Average salary$34,943$51,708
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $52,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityNew Haven, CTPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyHarvard UniversityNortheastern University
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between cataloger and law librarian education

There are a few differences between a cataloger and a law librarian in terms of educational background:

CatalogerLaw Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorHistoryHistory
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Cataloger vs law librarian demographics

Here are the differences between catalogers' and law librarians' demographics:

CatalogerLaw Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.9% Female, 62.1%Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between cataloger and law librarian duties and responsibilities

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

Law librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Supervise cataloging and processing of all materials.
  • Perform library technical services, including cataloging, processing, and acquisitions.
  • Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Cataloger vs law librarian skills

Common cataloger skills
  • Library Catalog, 13%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Cataloging, 11%
  • OCLC, 8%
  • Online Database, 8%
  • Lcsh, 6%
Common law librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Research Services, 8%
  • Legal Resources, 6%
  • Legal Reference, 6%

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