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Elementary librarian vs children's librarian

The differences between elementary 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 an elementary librarian and a children's librarian. Additionally, an elementary librarian has an average salary of $52,474, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.

The top three skills for an elementary librarian include library materials, library collection and library programs. The most important skills for a children's librarian are reference services, collection development, and youth services.

Elementary librarian vs children's librarian overview

Elementary LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Yearly salary$52,474$49,900
Hourly rate$25.23$23.99
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,7549,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Elementary librarian vs children's librarian salary

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

Elementary LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average salary$52,474$49,900
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $77,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between elementary librarian and children's librarian education

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

Elementary LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorElementary EducationLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Elementary librarian vs children's librarian demographics

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

Elementary LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%Male, 10.6% Female, 89.4%
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, 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 elementary librarian and children's librarian duties and responsibilities

Elementary librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Conduct research for teachers for relevant on-line resources for their curricular use.
  • Introduce some computer research skills and concepts 3rd grade - target social relationships and personal responsibility 4th grade - biography project.
  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Obtain a grant to update the non-fiction collection.

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.

Elementary librarian vs children's librarian skills

Common elementary librarian skills
  • Library Materials, 22%
  • Library Collection, 20%
  • Library Programs, 13%
  • AV, 9%
  • Research Projects, 8%
  • Research, 8%
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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