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Circulation librarian vs library circulation assistant

The differences between circulation librarians and library circulation assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a circulation librarian has an average salary of $50,163, which is higher than the $30,375 average annual salary of a library circulation assistant.

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

Circulation librarian vs library circulation assistant overview

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Circulation Assistant
Yearly salary$50,163$30,375
Hourly rate$24.12$14.60
Growth rate6%-4%
Number of jobs1,0411,137
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4847
Years of experience2-

Circulation librarian vs library circulation assistant salary

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Circulation Assistant
Average salary$50,163$30,375
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Albany, NY
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-The University of Kansas Health System
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between circulation librarian and library circulation assistant education

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Circulation Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceEnglish
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesDuke University

Circulation librarian vs library circulation assistant demographics

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

Circulation LibrarianLibrary Circulation Assistant
Average age4847
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8%
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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between circulation librarian and library circulation assistant 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.

Library circulation assistant example responsibilities.

  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Check books and CDs in and out; put books and CDs back on shelves
  • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.

Circulation librarian vs library circulation assistant skills

Common circulation librarian skills
  • Circulation Desk, 31%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Library Materials, 18%
  • Student Assistants, 4%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
  • Library System, 4%
Common library circulation assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 12%
  • Library Circulation, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Library Equipment, 5%
  • Library Patrons, 5%

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