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School librarian vs law librarian

The differences between school librarians and law 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 law librarian. Additionally, a law librarian has an average salary of $51,708, which is higher than the $51,202 average annual salary of a school librarian.

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

School librarian vs law librarian overview

School LibrarianLaw Librarian
Yearly salary$51,202$51,708
Hourly rate$24.62$24.86
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs20,0371,813
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

School librarian vs law librarian salary

School librarians and law librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

School LibrarianLaw Librarian
Average salary$51,202$51,708
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $75,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CAPhiladelphia, PA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyPoly Prep Country Day SchoolNortheastern University
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between school librarian and law librarian education

There are a few differences between a school librarian and a law librarian in terms of educational background:

School LibrarianLaw Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceHistory
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

School librarian vs law librarian demographics

Here are the differences between school librarians' and law librarians' demographics:

School LibrarianLaw Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 32.4% Female, 67.6%
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, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between school librarian and law 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

Law librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Supervise cataloging and processing of all materials.
  • Perform library technical services, including cataloging, processing, and acquisitions.
  • Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

School librarian vs law 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 law librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Research Services, 8%
  • Legal Resources, 6%
  • Legal Reference, 6%

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