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Library media assistant vs assistant librarian

The differences between library media assistants and assistant librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant librarian has an average salary of $53,764, which is higher than the $34,052 average annual salary of a library media assistant.

The top three skills for a library media assistant include library materials, media and library books. The most important skills for an assistant librarian are library materials, reference services, and library services.

Library media assistant vs assistant librarian overview

Library Media AssistantAssistant Librarian
Yearly salary$34,052$53,764
Hourly rate$16.37$25.85
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs9,0871,617
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Library media assistant vs assistant librarian salary

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

Library Media AssistantAssistant Librarian
Average salary$34,052$53,764
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $42,000Between $40,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CitySalem, ORHayward, CA
Highest paying stateWashingtonAlaska
Best paying companyAlbemarle CountyKent Daniels & Associates
Best paying industryEducationHealth Care

Differences between library media assistant and assistant librarian education

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

Library Media AssistantAssistant Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNew York University

Library media assistant vs assistant librarian demographics

Here are the differences between library media assistants' and assistant librarians' demographics:

Library Media AssistantAssistant Librarian
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between library media assistant and assistant librarian duties and responsibilities

Library media assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist with video recording and cataloging of activities on an IBM.
  • Perform original cataloging and copy cataloging.
  • Develop system to streamline classroom media requests resulting in more efficient distribution of materials.
  • Engage in moderate weeding projects of the fiction, biography, and nonfiction collections.
  • Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.

Assistant librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage yearly budget for DVDs.
  • Cataloge new book, reclassify, original updates using OCLC.
  • Help patrons with computers, word processing, and PowerPoint.
  • Provide customer service through assisting the patrons with their research topics and general questions through OCLC library information system.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for orientation.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Show more

Library media assistant vs assistant librarian skills

Common library media assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 14%
  • Media, 14%
  • Library Books, 6%
  • Instructional Materials, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Library Equipment, 5%
Common assistant librarian skills
  • Library Materials, 11%
  • Reference Services, 6%
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Collection Development, 5%
  • Library Resources, 5%

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