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Library clerk vs circulation clerk

The differences between library clerks and circulation 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 $24,325 average annual salary of a circulation clerk.

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

Library clerk vs circulation clerk overview

Library ClerkCirculation Clerk
Yearly salary$30,275$24,325
Hourly rate$14.56$11.69
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs67,13166,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Library clerk vs circulation clerk salary

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

Library ClerkCirculation Clerk
Average salary$30,275$24,325
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $39,000Between $19,000 And $30,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AK-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyMayor Ethan Berkowitz-
Best paying industryFinance-

Differences between library clerk and circulation clerk education

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

Library ClerkCirculation Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Library clerk vs circulation clerk demographics

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

Library ClerkCirculation Clerk
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between library clerk and circulation clerk duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Circulation clerk example responsibilities.

  • Create displays for checkout material (fiction, DVDs, children's section, etc . )
  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Issue library cards to customers and collect fines for books, CDs, and videos.
  • Catalogue and stack books, movies, CDs, records and periodicals.
  • Help troubleshoot technology relate issues.

Library clerk vs circulation clerk skills

Common library clerk skills
  • Library Materials, 19%
  • Customer Service, 12%
  • Circulation Desk, 7%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Word Processing, 3%
  • Office Equipment, 3%
Common circulation clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Patron Accounts, 18%
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 6%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Issue Library Cards, 3%

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