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The differences between library clerks and acquisitions assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an acquisitions assistant has an average salary of $32,357, which is higher than the $30,275 average annual salary of a library clerk.
The top three skills for a library clerk include library materials, customer service and circulation desk. The most important skills for an acquisitions assistant are HR, data entry, and background checks.
| Library Clerk | Acquisitions Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $30,275 | $32,357 |
| Hourly rate | $14.56 | $15.56 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 67,131 | 1,102 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
An acquisitions assistant helps the acquisition team in performing different administrative tasks. They conduct detailed research to plan and keep the acquisition process running smoothly. Besides categorizing and storing goods and materials and placing orders to the vendor, acquisitions assistants also prepare and keep payments and purchase records and receipts for reference. They receive the requested orders, evaluate the goods and other items, and return all damaged materials to the vendors. Moreover, these professionals maintain magazine records, book records, and other journal records in the library.
Library clerks and acquisitions assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Clerk | Acquisitions Assistant | |
| Average salary | $30,275 | $32,357 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $39,000 | Between $18,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | - |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | - |
| Best paying company | Mayor Ethan Berkowitz | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a library clerk and an acquisitions assistant in terms of educational background:
| Library Clerk | Acquisitions Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between library clerks' and acquisitions assistants' demographics:
| Library Clerk | Acquisitions Assistant | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 28.5% Female, 71.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |