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Reference library assistant vs circulation desk assistant

The differences between reference library assistants and circulation desk assistants 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 $26,159 average annual salary of a circulation desk assistant.

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

Reference library assistant vs circulation desk assistant overview

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Desk Assistant
Yearly salary$27,791$26,159
Hourly rate$13.36$12.58
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,13025,638
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Reference library assistant vs circulation desk assistant salary

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

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Desk Assistant
Average salary$27,791$26,159
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $36,000Between $19,000 And $34,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between reference library assistant and circulation desk assistant education

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

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Desk Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common majorEnglishPsychology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Reference library assistant vs circulation desk assistant demographics

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

Reference Library AssistantCirculation Desk Assistant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%
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, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between reference library assistant and circulation desk assistant 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 desk assistant example responsibilities.

  • Utilize computerized system for circulating books and DVDs.
  • Stack, sort, and insert ads into newspapers.
  • Assist in running equipment to bundle newspapers to be send out to carriers for delivery.
  • Assign and monitor computers to students; check books and DVDs in and out using a computerize system.
  • Perform regular cataloging of new acquisitions, maintaining accurate data building for microfilm, microfiche, periodicals, and academic collections.
  • Develop library collection materials for young adults including award-winning non-fiction and fiction titles.

Reference library assistant vs circulation desk assistant 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 desk assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 23%
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Library Patrons, 6%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Front Desk, 5%
  • DVDs, 3%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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