Post job

Circulation librarian vs adult services librarian

The differences between circulation 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 circulation librarian and an adult services librarian. Additionally, a circulation librarian has an average salary of $50,163, which is higher than the $49,862 average annual salary of an adult services librarian.

The top three skills for a circulation librarian include circulation desk, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for an adult services librarian are adult services, collection development, and adult programs.

Circulation librarian vs adult services librarian overview

Circulation LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Yearly salary$50,163$49,862
Hourly rate$24.12$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,04154,306
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation librarian vs adult services librarian salary

Circulation librarians and adult services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulation LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average salary$50,163$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 circulation librarian and adult services librarian education

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

Circulation LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesNew York University

Circulation librarian vs adult services librarian demographics

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

Circulation LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% 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 circulation librarian and adult services librarian duties and responsibilities

Circulation 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.
  • Database inventory of records and CDs.

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

Circulation librarian vs adult services librarian skills

Common circulation librarian skills
  • Circulation Desk, 31%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Library Materials, 18%
  • Student Assistants, 4%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
  • Library System, 4%
Common adult services librarian skills
  • Adult Services, 14%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Adult Programs, 7%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Reference Services, 5%
  • Library Patrons, 5%

Browse education, training, and library jobs