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Media librarian vs library media specialist

The differences between media librarians and library media specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a media librarian, becoming a library media specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a media librarian has an average salary of $44,176, which is higher than the $41,529 average annual salary of a library media specialist.

The top three skills for a media librarian include DVD, media management and rights issues. The most important skills for a library media specialist are professional development, library materials, and K-12.

Media librarian vs library media specialist overview

Media LibrarianLibrary Media Specialist
Yearly salary$44,176$41,529
Hourly rate$21.24$19.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs8,8669,216
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4848
Years of experience24

Media librarian vs library media specialist salary

Media librarians and library media specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media LibrarianLibrary Media Specialist
Average salary$44,176$41,529
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $60,000Between $31,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City-Walnut Creek, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Montgomery County Public Schools
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between media librarian and library media specialist education

There are a few differences between a media librarian and a library media specialist in terms of educational background:

Media LibrarianLibrary Media Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorCommunicationLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Media librarian vs library media specialist demographics

Here are the differences between media librarians' and library media specialists' demographics:

Media LibrarianLibrary Media Specialist
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 50.3% Female, 49.7%Male, 14.7% Female, 85.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between media librarian and library media specialist duties and responsibilities

Media librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Library media specialist example responsibilities.

  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Collaborate with teachers on student research projects by teaching information literacy skills emphasizing on inquiry and organization using some technology.
  • Teach pre-K through 5th grade.
  • Initiate and run a summer sewing camp.
  • Create and run an alternative high school library.
  • Facilitate intervention with a small group of kindergarten students.
  • Show more

Media librarian vs library media specialist skills

Common media librarian skills
  • DVD, 21%
  • Media Management, 15%
  • Rights Issues, 14%
  • Front Desk, 10%
  • Disaster Recovery, 9%
  • Library Materials, 9%
Common library media specialist skills
  • Professional Development, 8%
  • Library Materials, 7%
  • K-12, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Instructional Materials, 5%
  • Instructional Technology, 5%

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