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Circulation librarian vs school librarian

The differences between circulation librarians and school 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 school librarian. Additionally, a school librarian has an average salary of $51,202, 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 school librarian are library services, library resources, and library materials.

Circulation librarian vs school librarian overview

Circulation LibrarianSchool Librarian
Yearly salary$50,163$51,202
Hourly rate$24.12$24.62
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,04120,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation librarian vs school librarian salary

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

Circulation LibrarianSchool Librarian
Average salary$50,163$51,202
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City-Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Poly Prep Country Day School
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between circulation librarian and school librarian education

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

Circulation LibrarianSchool Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of California - Los AngelesUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Circulation librarian vs school librarian demographics

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

Circulation LibrarianSchool Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 32.8% Female, 67.2%Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between circulation librarian and school 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.

School librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
  • Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
  • Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
  • Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Show more

Circulation librarian vs school 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 school librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Library Resources, 9%
  • Library Materials, 9%
  • Library Programs, 7%
  • Collection Development, 6%
  • Library Collection, 5%

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