Library consultant vs public services librarian

The differences between library consultants and public services librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a library consultant and a public services librarian. Additionally, a public services librarian has an average salary of $49,867, which is higher than the $44,639 average annual salary of a library consultant.

The top three skills for a library consultant include library services, collection development and . The most important skills for a public services librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Library consultant vs public services librarian overview

	Library Consultant	Public Services Librarian
Yearly salary	$44,639	$49,867
Hourly rate	$21.46	$23.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	6,172	62,620
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Library consultant vs public services librarian salary

Library consultants and public services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Consultant	Public Services Librarian
Average salary	$44,639	$49,867
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $73,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Yale University
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between library consultant and public services librarian education

There are a few differences between a library consultant and a public services librarian in terms of educational background:

	Library Consultant	Public Services Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Library consultant vs public services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between library consultants' and public services librarians' demographics:

	Library Consultant	Public Services Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 29.9% Female, 70.1%	Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between library consultant and public services librarian duties and responsibilities

Library consultant example responsibilities.

Manage various project phases on several B2B website builds for clients in the healthcare, e-commerce and manufacturing industries.
Provide cataloging services, including indexing, assigning metadata, classification and subject heading application using the standard thesaurus of terms.
Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

Library consultant vs public services librarian skills

Common library consultant skills

Library Services, 64%
Collection Development, 36%

Common public services librarian skills

Library Services, 15%
Collection Development, 10%
Reference Services, 9%
Library Policies, 8%
Technical Publications, 7%
Technical Manuals, 6%

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Library Consultant vs Public Services Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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