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Children's librarian vs adult services librarian

The differences between children's librarians and adult 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 children's librarian and an adult services librarian. Additionally, a children's librarian has an average salary of $49,900, which is higher than the $49,862 average annual salary of an adult services librarian.

The top three skills for a children's librarian include reference services, collection development and youth services. The most important skills for an adult services librarian are adult services, collection development, and adult programs.

Children's librarian vs adult services librarian overview

Children's LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Yearly salary$49,900$49,862
Hourly rate$23.99$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs9,83454,306
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Children's librarian vs adult services librarian salary

Children's librarians and adult services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Children's LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average salary$49,900$49,862
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-City of Seattle
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between children's librarian and adult services librarian education

There are a few differences between a children's librarian and an adult services librarian in terms of educational background:

Children's LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

Children's librarian vs adult services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between children's librarians' and adult services librarians' demographics:

Children's LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 10.6% Female, 89.4%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between children's librarian and adult services librarian duties and responsibilities

Children's librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Adult services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Assist with general collection management including materials in science fiction, fantasy, health/fitness and history.
  • Train new hire employees with new EMR system
  • Form the young adult (teen) serves department, collection, and programs.
  • Evaluate, select, weed and replace materials in the adult and teen collection.
  • Cataloge new books, find and correct cataloging errors; classify and re-cataloge older non-fiction.
  • Show more

Children's librarian vs adult services librarian skills

Common children's librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 12%
  • Collection Development, 12%
  • Youth Services, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Teen, 6%
  • Public Library, 5%
Common adult services librarian skills
  • Adult Services, 14%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Adult Programs, 7%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Reference Services, 5%
  • Library Patrons, 5%

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