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Elementary librarian vs school librarian

The differences between elementary 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 an elementary librarian and a school librarian. Additionally, an elementary librarian has an average salary of $52,474, which is higher than the $51,202 average annual salary of a school librarian.

The top three skills for an elementary librarian include library materials, library collection and library programs. The most important skills for a school librarian are library services, library resources, and library materials.

Elementary librarian vs school librarian overview

Elementary LibrarianSchool Librarian
Yearly salary$52,474$51,202
Hourly rate$25.23$24.62
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs2,75420,037
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Elementary librarian vs school librarian salary

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

Elementary LibrarianSchool Librarian
Average salary$52,474$51,202
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $77,000Between $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 elementary librarian and school librarian education

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

Elementary LibrarianSchool Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorElementary EducationLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Elementary librarian vs school librarian demographics

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

Elementary LibrarianSchool Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 7.5% Female, 92.5%Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%
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, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between elementary librarian and school 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.

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

Elementary librarian vs school librarian skills

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