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Circulation librarian vs children's librarian

The differences between circulation librarians and children's 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 a children's librarian. Additionally, a circulation librarian has an average salary of $50,163, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.

The top three skills for a circulation librarian include circulation desk, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a children's librarian are reference services, collection development, and youth services.

Circulation librarian vs children's librarian overview

Circulation LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Yearly salary$50,163$49,900
Hourly rate$24.12$23.99
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,0419,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation librarian vs children's librarian salary

Circulation librarians and children's librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulation LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average salary$50,163$49,900
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between circulation librarian and children's librarian education

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

Circulation LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Circulation librarian vs children's librarian demographics

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

Circulation LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 10.6% Female, 89.4%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between circulation librarian and children's 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.

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.

Circulation librarian vs children's 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 children's librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 12%
  • Collection Development, 12%
  • Youth Services, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Teen, 6%
  • Public Library, 5%

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