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Reference library assistant vs circulation clerk

The differences between reference library assistants and circulation clerks can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a reference library assistant has an average salary of $27,791, which is higher than the $24,325 average annual salary of a circulation clerk.

The top three skills for a reference library assistant include customer service, library materials and library patrons. The most important skills for a circulation clerk are customer service, patron accounts, and library materials.

Reference library assistant vs circulation clerk overview

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Yearly salary$27,791$24,325
Hourly rate$13.36$11.69
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,13066,736
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Reference library assistant vs circulation clerk salary

Reference library assistants and circulation clerks have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Average salary$27,791$24,325
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $36,000Between $19,000 And $30,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between reference library assistant and circulation clerk education

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

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Reference library assistant vs circulation clerk demographics

Here are the differences between reference library assistants' and circulation clerks' demographics:

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Clerk
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 23.0% Female, 77.0%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between reference library assistant and circulation clerk 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.

Circulation clerk example responsibilities.

  • Create displays for checkout material (fiction, DVDs, children's section, etc . )
  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Issue library cards to customers and collect fines for books, CDs, and videos.
  • Catalogue and stack books, movies, CDs, records and periodicals.
  • Help troubleshoot technology relate issues.

Reference library assistant vs circulation clerk 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 circulation clerk skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Patron Accounts, 18%
  • Library Materials, 15%
  • Circulation Desk, 6%
  • Library Patrons, 4%
  • Issue Library Cards, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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