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The differences between library specialists and library clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library specialist has an average salary of $32,884, which is higher than the $30,275 average annual salary of a library clerk.
The top three skills for a library specialist include library materials, library services and library resources. The most important skills for a library clerk are library materials, customer service, and circulation desk.
| Library Specialist | Library Clerk | |
| Yearly salary | $32,884 | $30,275 |
| Hourly rate | $15.81 | $14.56 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 19,984 | 67,131 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
Library specialists are professionals who are responsible for assisting library patrons by performing a variety of tasks assigned by librarians. These specialists are required to perform duties such as telephone calls, responding to the questions of patrons, and assisting teachers and their students. They must help library patrons find resources that can include reference materials, electronic journals, and audiovisual equipment. Library specialists must also catalog and process other print and non-print materials while using a pushcart to re-shelve or deliver library books.
Library clerks help librarians by primarily doing sorting, shelving, updating database and files, and cataloging several library materials such as books, newspapers, magazines, and multimedia resources. They check books and other resources in and out of the library assist in the procurement of library supplies, work with audio-visual equipment most of the time. In addition, other job responsibilities include setting up book displays, repairing damaged books, sending out overdue notices, and helping visitors find what they look for.
Library specialists and library clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Specialist | Library Clerk | |
| Average salary | $32,884 | $30,275 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $43,000 | Between $23,000 And $39,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Brown University | Mayor Ethan Berkowitz |
| Best paying industry | Education | Finance |
There are a few differences between a library specialist and a library clerk in terms of educational background:
| Library Specialist | Library Clerk | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | English | Business |
| Most common college | New York University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between library specialists' and library clerks' demographics:
| Library Specialist | Library Clerk | |
| Average age | 47 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |