Library technician vs cataloging technician

The differences between library technicians and cataloging technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a library technician and a cataloging technician. Additionally, a cataloging technician has an average salary of $39,447, which is higher than the $37,757 average annual salary of a library technician.

The top three skills for a library technician include library services, data entry and circulation desk. The most important skills for a cataloging technician are OCLC, cataloging, and library materials.

Library technician vs cataloging technician overview

	Library Technician	Cataloging Technician
Yearly salary	$37,757	$39,447
Hourly rate	$18.15	$18.96
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	24,941	5,310
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age	50	50
Years of experience	12	12

Library technician vs cataloging technician salary

Library technicians and cataloging technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Library Technician	Cataloging Technician
Average salary	$37,757	$39,447
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $23,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City	Washington, DC	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Syracuse University	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between library technician and cataloging technician education

There are a few differences between a library technician and a cataloging technician in terms of educational background:

	Library Technician	Cataloging Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Library technician vs cataloging technician demographics

Here are the differences between library technicians' and cataloging technicians' demographics:

	Library Technician	Cataloging Technician
Average age	50	50
Gender ratio	Male, 34.1% Female, 65.9%	Male, 56.9% Female, 43.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 4.7% White, 64.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between library technician and cataloging technician duties and responsibilities

Library technician example responsibilities.

Cataloge library materials using OCLC to be add to collection, and repair damaged materials.
Process books and serials in Sydney (ILS).
Enter new patron records into the ILS.
Process incoming serials and maintain serial records and archives.
Work with supervisors, coworkers, and patrons to resolve questions and troubleshoot both electronic and physical item requests.
Install, configure, troubleshoot laser scanners, RFID readers and antennas, sensors, detectors, actuators, payment systems.

Cataloging technician example responsibilities.

Establish on-line order records using OCLC and CATME, international library database.
Populate the ILS database using NGA modify MARC 21 and AARC 2 standards.
Perform original and copy cataloging of new and donate items.
Organize and inventory art books and reference resources by cataloging materials into an update computerized system.
Customize MARC records and prepare labels per individual public library's bibliographic specifications and tracking systems.
Participate in a number of special projects pertaining to the maintenance of digital records and URLs.

Library technician vs cataloging technician skills

Common library technician skills

Library Services, 6%
Data Entry, 6%
Circulation Desk, 5%
Customer Service, 5%
Library System, 4%
Library Patrons, 4%

Common cataloging technician skills

OCLC, 25%
Cataloging, 22%
Library Materials, 18%
Library System, 13%
Collection Development, 9%
Marc, 7%

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Library Technician vs Cataloging Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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