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Library assistant vs assistant

The differences between library assistants and assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant has an average salary of $37,363, which is higher than the $30,146 average annual salary of a library assistant.

The top three skills for a library assistant include customer service, library materials and circulation desk. The most important skills for an assistant are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Library assistant vs assistant overview

Library AssistantAssistant
Yearly salary$30,146$37,363
Hourly rate$14.49$17.96
Growth rate-4%-8%
Number of jobs1,122557,900
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4750
Years of experience-2

What does a library assistant do?

A library assistant's primary responsibilities revolve around managing reading materials and maintaining order while under a librarian's supervision. They are mostly in charge of locating, organizing, sorting, and even handling newly arrived books and other reading materials according to a specified system. A library assistant may also handle transactions with customers such as checking in and out books, maintaining databases, processing new registrations, and even releasing new library cards. Furthermore, they may have clerical tasks such as producing reports and other necessary documentation, managing schedules, answering calls, and other forms or correspondence.

What does an assistant do?

An assistant intern is responsible for facilitating administrative and clerical tasks as assigned by the management. Assistant interns' duties include keeping records of meetings, receiving calls and handling customer inquiries, assisting on writing reports and data entry processing, cooperating and providing support for business events, and adhering to company policies and regulatory procedures. Successful assistant interns must have excellent time-management, multi-tasking, and communication skills. They must be a team player and fast-learner to handle various tasks in the corporate industry.

Library assistant vs assistant salary

Library assistants and assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Library AssistantAssistant
Average salary$30,146$37,363
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $39,000Between $16,000 And $82,000
Highest paying CityBrookline, MABoston, MA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsMassachusetts
Best paying companyColumbia University in the City of New YorkLatham & Watkins
Best paying industryProfessionalEducation

Differences between library assistant and assistant education

There are a few differences between a library assistant and an assistant in terms of educational background:

Library AssistantAssistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityWestern Carolina University

Library assistant vs assistant demographics

Here are the differences between library assistants' and assistants' demographics:

Library AssistantAssistant
Average age4750
Gender ratioMale, 29.0% Female, 71.0%Male, 40.7% Female, 59.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 3.8% White, 65.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between library assistant and assistant duties and responsibilities

Library assistant example responsibilities.

  • Organize and check in newly arrive reference materials, magazines, newspapers, and journals.
  • Assist with processing acquisitions, collection maintenance and development, retro- cataloging, copy cataloging.
  • Process and track inter-library loans and donations.
  • Set up user accounts and user rights in windows.
  • Process magazines and annual reports for the circulation department.
  • Re-Serve, circulate, check-in / check-out and renew books.
  • Show more

Assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage circulations, including educational textbooks and DVDS, video technology and supplies.
  • Manage branches providing information technology support, logistics, training and operational support.
  • Manage company's twitter account and communicate with multiple physical therapy providers around the country
  • Optimize productivity in prioritizing and managing special projects, PowerPoint presentations for classes, and proctore exams for undergraduate classes.
  • Assist in jewelry design and assembly, manage company Facebook page, participate in wholesale buying, and manage retail inventory
  • Manage and update company Facebook page with daily updates, finding/sharing relevant and interesting information, and encouraging fan engagement.
  • Show more

Library assistant vs assistant skills

Common library assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 7%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Library Services, 4%
  • Library Resources, 3%
Common assistant skills
  • Patients, 27%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Sales Floor, 5%
  • Scheduling Appointments, 3%

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