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College librarian vs library technician

The differences between college librarians and library technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a college librarian, becoming a library technician takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a college librarian has an average salary of $52,999, which is higher than the $37,757 average annual salary of a library technician.

The top three skills for a college librarian include library services, library resources and reference services. The most important skills for a library technician are library services, data entry, and circulation desk.

College librarian vs library technician overview

College LibrarianLibrary Technician
Yearly salary$52,999$37,757
Hourly rate$25.48$18.15
Growth rate6%-4%
Number of jobs1,88624,941
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4850
Years of experience212

College librarian vs library technician salary

College librarians and library technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

College LibrarianLibrary Technician
Average salary$52,999$37,757
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Syracuse University
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between college librarian and library technician education

There are a few differences between a college librarian and a library technician in terms of educational background:

College LibrarianLibrary Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

College librarian vs library technician demographics

Here are the differences between college librarians' and library technicians' demographics:

College LibrarianLibrary Technician
Average age4850
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between college librarian and library technician duties and responsibilities

College 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.
  • Redesign and repair periodical and CD-ROM/DVD center at no cost.

Library technician example responsibilities.

  • Cataloge library materials using OCLC to be add to collection, and repair damaged materials.
  • Process books and serials in Sydney (ILS).
  • Enter new patron records into the ILS.
  • Process incoming serials and maintain serial records and archives.
  • Work with supervisors, coworkers, and patrons to resolve questions and troubleshoot both electronic and physical item requests.
  • Install, configure, troubleshoot laser scanners, RFID readers and antennas, sensors, detectors, actuators, payment systems.
  • Show more

College librarian vs library technician skills

Common college librarian skills
  • Library Services, 29%
  • Library Resources, 24%
  • Reference Services, 16%
  • Cataloging, 7%
  • AV, 6%
  • Library Materials, 5%
Common library technician skills
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Library System, 4%
  • Library Patrons, 4%

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