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School librarian vs public services librarian

The differences between school librarians and public services 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 public services librarian. Additionally, a school librarian has an average salary of $51,202, which is higher than the $49,867 average annual salary of a public services librarian.

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

School librarian vs public services librarian overview

School LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Yearly salary$51,202$49,867
Hourly rate$24.62$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs20,03762,620
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

School librarian vs public services librarian salary

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

School LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average salary$51,202$49,867
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $75,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CitySacramento, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyPoly Prep Country Day SchoolYale University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between school librarian and public services librarian education

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

School LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Maryland - College ParkNew York University

School librarian vs public services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between school librarians' and public services librarians' demographics:

School LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 16.3% Female, 83.7%Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
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, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between school librarian and public services 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

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
  • Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

School librarian vs public services 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 public services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 15%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Library Policies, 8%
  • Technical Publications, 7%
  • Technical Manuals, 6%

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