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Library media assistant vs circulation assistant

The differences between library media assistants and circulation assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library media assistant has an average salary of $34,052, which is higher than the $28,632 average annual salary of a circulation assistant.

The top three skills for a library media assistant include library materials, media and library books. The most important skills for a circulation assistant are patron accounts, customer service, and interlibrary loan materials.

Library media assistant vs circulation assistant overview

Library Media AssistantCirculation Assistant
Yearly salary$34,052$28,632
Hourly rate$16.37$13.77
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs9,087738
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Library media assistant vs circulation assistant salary

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

Library Media AssistantCirculation Assistant
Average salary$34,052$28,632
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $42,000Between $22,000 And $37,000
Highest paying CitySalem, OR-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyAlbemarle County-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between library media assistant and circulation assistant education

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

Library Media AssistantCirculation Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorBusinessEnglish
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Library media assistant vs circulation assistant demographics

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

Library Media AssistantCirculation Assistant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 21.2% Female, 78.8%Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 6.2% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between library media assistant and circulation assistant 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.

Circulation assistant example responsibilities.

  • Assist patron's in locating materials using MLS database.
  • Perform check-in duties to shelve all tapes that are used the night before.
  • Locate library materials for patrons, including books, periodicals, DVDs, and other items.
  • Locate library materials for students and faculty, including books, periodicals, DVDs and online resources.
  • Receive requests from other libraries to lend MLS materials; check availability of materials, request materials via system reserve process.
  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Show more

Library media assistant vs circulation assistant skills

Common library media assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 14%
  • Media, 14%
  • Library Books, 6%
  • Instructional Materials, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Library Equipment, 5%
Common circulation assistant skills
  • Patron Accounts, 15%
  • Customer Service, 13%
  • Interlibrary Loan Materials, 8%
  • Check-In, 8%
  • Library Patrons, 6%
  • Front Desk, 5%

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