Post job

Library circulation assistant vs library technician

The differences between library circulation assistants and library technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library technician has an average salary of $37,757, which is higher than the $30,375 average annual salary of a library circulation assistant.

The top three skills for a library circulation assistant include library materials, circulation desk and library circulation. The most important skills for a library technician are library services, data entry, and circulation desk.

Library circulation assistant vs library technician overview

Library Circulation AssistantLibrary Technician
Yearly salary$30,375$37,757
Hourly rate$14.60$18.15
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,13724,941
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4750
Years of experience-12

Library circulation assistant vs library technician salary

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

Library Circulation AssistantLibrary Technician
Average salary$30,375$37,757
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $39,000Between $29,000 And $48,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyThe University of Kansas Health SystemSyracuse University
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between library circulation assistant and library technician education

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

Library Circulation AssistantLibrary Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeDuke UniversityNew York University

Library circulation assistant vs library technician demographics

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

Library Circulation AssistantLibrary Technician
Average age4750
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between library circulation assistant and library technician duties and responsibilities

Library circulation assistant example responsibilities.

  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Check books and CDs in and out; put books and CDs back on shelves
  • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.

Library technician example responsibilities.

  • Cataloge library materials using OCLC to be add to collection, and repair damaged materials.
  • Process books and serials in Sydney (ILS).
  • Enter new patron records into the ILS.
  • Process incoming serials and maintain serial records and archives.
  • Work with supervisors, coworkers, and patrons to resolve questions and troubleshoot both electronic and physical item requests.
  • Install, configure, troubleshoot laser scanners, RFID readers and antennas, sensors, detectors, actuators, payment systems.
  • Show more

Library circulation assistant vs library technician skills

Common library circulation assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 12%
  • Library Circulation, 9%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Library Equipment, 5%
  • Library Patrons, 5%
Common library technician skills
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Data Entry, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • Library System, 4%
  • Library Patrons, 4%

Browse office and administrative jobs