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The differences between library specialists and library media specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a library media specialist has an average salary of $41,529, which is higher than the $32,884 average annual salary of a library specialist.
The top three skills for a library specialist include library materials, library services and library resources. The most important skills for a library media specialist are professional development, library materials, and K-12.
| Library Specialist | Library Media Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $32,884 | $41,529 |
| Hourly rate | $15.81 | $19.97 |
| Growth rate | -4% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 19,984 | 9,216 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
A Library Media Specialist is in charge of managing and handling a library's media resources and providing visitors and staff assistance. They may work for public libraries, learning institutions, or other facilities with libraries. Their responsibilities usually include helping visitors locate media materials, preparing and processing resources, arranging items according to protocols, and overseeing computer equipment to ensure that they are in good condition. They may also maintain the cleanliness of libraries and implement its policies and regulations.
Library specialists and library media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Library Specialist | Library Media Specialist | |
| Average salary | $32,884 | $41,529 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $43,000 | Between $31,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Walnut Creek, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Brown University | Montgomery County Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a library specialist and a library media specialist in terms of educational background:
| Library Specialist | Library Media Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | English | Library Science |
| Most common college | New York University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between library specialists' and library media specialists' demographics:
| Library Specialist | Library Media Specialist | |
| Average age | 47 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.6% Female, 68.4% | Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3% |
| 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, 7.1% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.2% Asian, 5.3% White, 75.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 16% |