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Reference library assistant vs assistant librarian

The differences between reference library assistants and assistant librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an assistant librarian has an average salary of $53,764, which is higher than the $27,791 average annual salary of a reference library assistant.

The top three skills for a reference library assistant include customer service, library materials and library patrons. The most important skills for an assistant librarian are library materials, reference services, and library services.

Reference library assistant vs assistant librarian overview

Reference Library AssistantAssistant Librarian
Yearly salary$27,791$53,764
Hourly rate$13.36$25.85
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,1301,617
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Reference library assistant vs assistant librarian salary

Reference library assistants and assistant librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reference Library AssistantAssistant Librarian
Average salary$27,791$53,764
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $36,000Between $40,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Hayward, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Kent Daniels & Associates
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between reference library assistant and assistant librarian education

There are a few differences between a reference library assistant and an assistant librarian in terms of educational background:

Reference Library AssistantAssistant Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNew York University

Reference library assistant vs assistant librarian demographics

Here are the differences between reference library assistants' and assistant librarians' demographics:

Reference Library AssistantAssistant Librarian
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 31.5% Female, 68.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between reference library assistant and assistant librarian duties and responsibilities

Reference library assistant example responsibilities.

  • Construct and manage subject LibGuides.
  • Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.
  • Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.

Assistant librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage yearly budget for DVDs.
  • Cataloge new book, reclassify, original updates using OCLC.
  • Help patrons with computers, word processing, and PowerPoint.
  • Provide customer service through assisting the patrons with their research topics and general questions through OCLC library information system.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for orientation.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Show more

Reference library assistant vs assistant librarian skills

Common reference library assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Library Materials, 12%
  • Library Patrons, 8%
  • Research Assistance, 7%
  • Reference Services, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
Common assistant librarian skills
  • Library Materials, 11%
  • Reference Services, 6%
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Circulation Desk, 5%
  • Collection Development, 5%
  • Library Resources, 5%

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