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Librarian vs youth services librarian

The differences between librarians and youth 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 youth services librarian. Additionally, a librarian has an average salary of $53,096, which is higher than the $49,971 average annual salary of a youth services librarian.

The top three skills for a librarian include library services, customer service and library materials. The most important skills for a youth services librarian are social work, mental health, and community outreach.

Librarian vs youth services librarian overview

LibrarianYouth Services Librarian
Yearly salary$53,096$49,971
Hourly rate$25.53$24.02
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,26455,418
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a librarian do?

Librarians are trained in the field of information science so they can assist people in search of information. They direct and develop information systems and programs for the public. It is their job to make sure that the data is well-organized to meet every library user's needs. Their library work focuses on three main aspects, including user services, administrative services, and technical services. Typically, librarians work in schools, government, or local libraries.

What does a youth services librarian do?

Youth services librarians are people who plan and conduct the library's programs and services for children. The librarians execute their tasks under the supervision of a library director. They communicate with teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and community members for library service improvement. Their job includes assisting library patrons in search of the necessary material in answering reference questions and offering reader advisory. Also, they uphold patrons' confidentiality rights and their records.

Librarian vs youth services librarian salary

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

LibrarianYouth Services Librarian
Average salary$53,096$49,971
Salary rangeBetween $38,000 And $73,000Between $34,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWest Sacramento, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyMetaUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between librarian and youth services librarian education

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

LibrarianYouth Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorLibrary SciencePsychology
Most common collegeNew York UniversityUniversity of Washington

Librarian vs youth services librarian demographics

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

LibrarianYouth Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 31.3% Female, 68.7%Male, 27.1% Female, 72.9%
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, 6.3% 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 librarian and youth 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.
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Youth services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Cataloge books using OCLC database.
  • Cataloge printed and non-print materials with OCLC.
  • Reorganize the entire children's picture book and fiction collections.
  • Develop, organize, cataloge and maintain library's serials collection.
  • Order and catalogue children's picture books, videos, DVDs, and parenting collections or other materials as needed.
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Librarian vs youth 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 youth services librarian skills
  • Social Work, 19%
  • Mental Health, 16%
  • Community Outreach, 7%
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Collection Development, 5%
  • Library Materials, 4%

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