Library aide vs library clerk

The differences between library aides and library clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library clerk has an average salary of $30,275, which is higher than the $28,197 average annual salary of a library aide.

The top three skills for a library aide include library materials, customer service and circulation desk. The most important skills for a library clerk are library materials, customer service, and circulation desk.

Library aide vs library clerk overview

	Library Aide	Library Clerk
Yearly salary	$28,197	$30,275
Hourly rate	$13.56	$14.56
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	40,987	67,131
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

What does a library aide do?

A library aide is responsible for overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations of libraries. Typical duties include assisting customers in finding books, shelving books according to categories, and updating and maintaining customer profiles. In addition, you will assist customers in accessing the internet, keeping a record of books that have been borrowed and returned, and coordinating the repair of books that have been damaged. You will also be responsible for handling inquiries from customers via telephone or email and assisting with reading sessions and library events.

What does a library clerk do?

Library clerks help librarians by primarily doing sorting, shelving, updating database and files, and cataloging several library materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and multimedia resources. They check books and other resources in and out of the library assist in the procurement of library supplies, work with audio-visual equipment most of the time. In addition, other job responsibilities include setting up book displays, repairing damaged books, sending out overdue notices, and helping visitors find what they look for.

Library aide vs library clerk salary

Library aides and library clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Aide	Library Clerk
Average salary	$28,197	$30,275
Salary range	Between $21,000 And $36,000	Between $23,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Daly City, CA	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	California	Alaska
Best paying company	Dublin City Schools	Mayor Ethan Berkowitz
Best paying industry	Education	Finance

Differences between library aide and library clerk education

There are a few differences between a library aide and a library clerk in terms of educational background:

	Library Aide	Library Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Northwestern University	Stanford University

Library aide vs library clerk demographics

Here are the differences between library aides' and library clerks' demographics:

	Library Aide	Library Clerk
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%	Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between library aide and library clerk duties and responsibilities

Library aide example responsibilities.

Assist library patrons at the front desk, checking in/out, use of an ILS.
Label new books, label dvds and organize inventory.
Shelve DVDs and books, clean doors and windows.
Demonstrate initiative by volunteering to undergo cross training on inter-library loan policies and procedures.
Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.

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Library clerk example responsibilities.

Issue out DVDs, CD's, and newspapers to library customers.
Check in and out library merchandise including: books, audio recordings, magazines, and DVDs.
Perform copy cataloging, subject analysis and assignment of classification numbers.
Perform regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
Collate, and burned documents to CDs for time-sensitive shipment.
Shelve music books, music scores, CDs, vinyl record albums, and audiobooks.

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Library aide vs library clerk skills

Common library aide skills

Library Materials, 18%
Customer Service, 11%
Circulation Desk, 6%
Library Patrons, 4%
Library Services, 3%
Reference Materials, 3%

Common library clerk skills

Library Materials, 19%
Customer Service, 12%
Circulation Desk, 7%
Library Patrons, 4%
Word Processing, 3%
Office Equipment, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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