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Reference library assistant vs student library assistant

The differences between reference library assistants and student library 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 $25,083 average annual salary of a student library assistant.

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

Reference library assistant vs student library assistant overview

Reference Library AssistantStudent Library Assistant
Yearly salary$27,791$25,083
Hourly rate$13.36$12.06
Growth rate-4%-4%
Number of jobs1,13011,257
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4747
Years of experience--

Reference library assistant vs student library assistant salary

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

Reference Library AssistantStudent Library Assistant
Average salary$27,791$25,083
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $36,000Between $18,000 And $33,000
Highest paying City-Palo Alto, CA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-Palo Alto University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between reference library assistant and student library assistant education

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

Reference Library AssistantStudent Library Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorEnglishPsychology
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNorthwestern University

Reference library assistant vs student library assistant demographics

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

Reference Library AssistantStudent Library Assistant
Average age4747
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 31.9% Female, 68.1%
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, 9.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 6.5% White, 63.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between reference library assistant and student library 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.

Student library assistant example responsibilities.

  • Process, sort and organize books and DVDs.
  • Copy and original cataloging of auction catalogues; maintenance of auction catalogue shelves.
  • Organize books, DVDs, and CDs for organizational purpose to help other employees and patrons.
  • Assist in the cataloging and inventory of books, to restock or reorder popular or pertinent publications.
  • Process internal and external inter-library loan requests for fiction and non-fiction titles and digital media.
  • Assess and discard non-fiction collections as assigned.

Reference library assistant vs student library 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 student library assistant skills
  • Library Materials, 20%
  • Circulation Desk, 12%
  • Front Desk, 9%
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Library Patrons, 7%
  • Library Resources, 4%

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