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Government documents librarian vs public services librarian

The differences between government documents librarians and public services 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 government documents librarian and a public services librarian. Additionally, a government documents librarian has an average salary of $52,928, which is higher than the $49,867 average annual salary of a public services librarian.

The top three skills for a government documents librarian include collection development, depository and federal government. The most important skills for a public services librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Government documents librarian vs public services librarian overview

Government Documents LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Yearly salary$52,928$49,867
Hourly rate$25.45$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,48862,620
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Government documents librarian vs public services librarian salary

Government documents librarians and public services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Government Documents LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average salary$52,928$49,867
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $78,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Yale University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between government documents librarian and public services librarian education

There are a few differences between a government documents librarian and a public services librarian in terms of educational background:

Government Documents LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Government documents librarian vs public services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between government documents librarians' and public services librarians' demographics:

Government Documents LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 44.1% Female, 55.9%Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between government documents librarian and public services librarian duties and responsibilities

Government documents librarian example responsibilities.

  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
  • 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.

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
  • Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

Government documents librarian vs public services librarian skills

Common government documents librarian skills
  • Collection Development, 26%
  • Depository, 20%
  • Federal Government, 16%
  • Library Resources, 8%
  • Cataloging, 7%
  • Research Guides, 7%
Common public services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 15%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Library Policies, 8%
  • Technical Publications, 7%
  • Technical Manuals, 6%

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