Library media assistant vs circulation clerk

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

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

Library media assistant vs circulation clerk overview

	Library Media Assistant	Circulation Clerk
Yearly salary	$34,052	$24,325
Hourly rate	$16.37	$11.69
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	9,087	66,736
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age	47	47
Years of experience	-	-

Library media assistant vs circulation clerk salary

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

	Library Media Assistant	Circulation Clerk
Average salary	$34,052	$24,325
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $42,000	Between $19,000 And $30,000
Highest paying City	Salem, OR	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	Albemarle County	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between library media assistant and circulation clerk education

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

	Library Media Assistant	Circulation Clerk
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Library media assistant vs circulation clerk demographics

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

	Library Media Assistant	Circulation Clerk
Average age	47	47
Gender ratio	Male, 21.2% Female, 78.8%	Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
Race ratio	Black 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between library media assistant and circulation clerk 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 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 media assistant vs circulation clerk 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 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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Library Media Assistant
Library Media Assistant vs Circulation Clerk

Updated January 8, 2025

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