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Cataloger vs public services librarian

The differences between catalogers and public services 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 public services librarian. Additionally, a public services librarian has an average salary of $49,867, 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 public services librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Cataloger vs public services librarian overview

CatalogerPublic Services Librarian
Yearly salary$34,943$49,867
Hourly rate$16.80$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs9362,620
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Cataloger vs public services librarian salary

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

CatalogerPublic Services Librarian
Average salary$34,943$49,867
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $52,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityNew Haven, CTSanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyHarvard UniversityYale University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between cataloger and public services librarian education

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

CatalogerPublic Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorHistoryLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Cataloger vs public services librarian demographics

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

CatalogerPublic Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 37.9% Female, 62.1%Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
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, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between cataloger and public services 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

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
  • Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

Cataloger vs public services librarian skills

Common cataloger skills
  • Library Catalog, 13%
  • RDA, 11%
  • Cataloging, 11%
  • OCLC, 8%
  • Online Database, 8%
  • Lcsh, 6%
Common public services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 15%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Library Policies, 8%
  • Technical Publications, 7%
  • Technical Manuals, 6%

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