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School librarian vs children's librarian

The differences between school librarians and children's librarians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a school librarian and a children's librarian. Additionally, a school librarian has an average salary of $51,202, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.

The top three skills for a school librarian include library services, library resources and library materials. The most important skills for a children's librarian are reference services, collection development, and youth services.

School librarian vs children's librarian overview

School LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Yearly salary$51,202$49,900
Hourly rate$24.62$23.99
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs20,0379,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

School librarian vs children's librarian salary

School librarians and children's librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

School LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average salary$51,202$49,900
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $75,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyPoly Prep Country Day School-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between school librarian and children's librarian education

There are a few differences between a school librarian and a children's librarian in terms of educational background:

School LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkUniversity of Maryland - College Park

School librarian vs children's librarian demographics

Here are the differences between school librarians' and children's librarians' demographics:

School LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 10.6% Female, 89.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between school librarian and children's librarian duties and responsibilities

School librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
  • Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
  • Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
  • Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
  • Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
  • Show more

Children's 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.
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

School librarian vs children's librarian skills

Common school librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Library Resources, 9%
  • Library Materials, 9%
  • Library Programs, 7%
  • Collection Development, 6%
  • Library Collection, 5%
Common children's librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 12%
  • Collection Development, 12%
  • Youth Services, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Teen, 6%
  • Public Library, 5%

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