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Circulation librarian vs librarian

The differences between circulation librarians and 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 librarian. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $50,163 average annual salary of a circulation librarian.

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

Circulation librarian vs librarian overview

Circulation LibrarianLibrarian
Yearly salary$50,163$53,096
Hourly rate$24.12$25.53
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,0411,264
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation librarian vs librarian salary

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrarian
Average salary$50,163$53,096
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $38,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between circulation librarian and librarian education

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesNew York University

Circulation librarian vs librarian demographics

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
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, 6.4% 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 circulation librarian and 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.

Librarian example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
  • Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
  • Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Show more

Circulation librarian vs 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 librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Library Materials, 8%
  • Collection Development, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Reference Services, 5%

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