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Librarian vs public services librarian

The differences between 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 librarian and a public services librarian. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $49,867 average annual salary of a public services librarian.

The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a public services librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Librarian vs public services librarian overview

LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Yearly salary$53,096$49,867
Hourly rate$25.53$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,26462,620
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Librarian vs public services librarian salary

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

LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average salary$53,096$49,867
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $73,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaYale University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between librarian and public services librarian education

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

LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Librarian vs public services librarian demographics

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

LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 31.3% Female, 68.7%Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% 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 librarian and public services librarian duties and responsibilities

Librarian example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
  • Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
  • Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
    • Show more

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.

Librarian vs public services librarian skills

Common librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Library Materials, 8%
  • Collection Development, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Reference Services, 5%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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