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The differences between instruction librarians and technical 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 an instruction librarian and a technical services librarian. Additionally, a technical services librarian has an average salary of $50,657, which is higher than the $50,234 average annual salary of an instruction librarian.
The top three skills for an instruction librarian include collection development, library services and reference services. The most important skills for a technical services librarian are library services, collection development, and library resources.
| Instruction Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $50,234 | $50,657 |
| Hourly rate | $24.15 | $24.35 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 1,276 | 118,696 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The primary role of an instruction librarian is to create educational experiences. Instruction librarians design instructional materials and develop learning objects, assessment tools, and learning outcomes in different learning environments. These librarians serve as liaisons as they meet with students and faculty for research and teaching purposes. They promote and offer training for information literacy opportunities such as database access, computer literacy, and research. It is also their responsibility to maintain awareness of library and information technologies.
A technical services librarian is responsible for overseeing the technical and circulation services at a library. Typical duties for this role include supervising the technical and circulation staff, working closely with other library services, and directing the activities on library automation. In addition, you will make technical decisions involving the use and management of bibliographic records based on accepted standards. As a technical services librarian, it is also your responsibility to assist in the preparation of the library's annual budget and contribute to collection and acquisition development initiatives.
Instruction librarians and technical services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instruction Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Average salary | $50,234 | $50,657 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $71,000 | Between $36,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | Charlottesville, VA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Yale University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between an instruction librarian and a technical services librarian in terms of educational background:
| Instruction Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between instruction librarians' and technical services librarians' demographics:
| Instruction Librarian | Technical Services Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% | Male, 32.3% Female, 67.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |