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Special collections librarian vs children's librarian

The differences between special collections 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 special collections librarian and a children's librarian. Additionally, a special collections librarian has an average salary of $53,149, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.

The top three skills for a special collections librarian include customer accounts, collection development and outbound calls. The most important skills for a children's librarian are reference services, collection development, and youth services.

Special collections librarian vs children's librarian overview

Special Collections LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Yearly salary$53,149$49,900
Hourly rate$25.55$23.99
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs14,4169,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Special collections librarian vs children's librarian salary

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

Special Collections LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average salary$53,149$49,900
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between special collections librarian and children's librarian education

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

Special Collections LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Special collections librarian vs children's librarian demographics

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

Special Collections LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 42.0% Female, 58.0%Male, 10.6% Female, 89.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% 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 special collections librarian and children's librarian duties and responsibilities

Special collections librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Check in new journals in the database.
  • Provide reference and interlibrary loan services and instruct users on use of computers, database tools for research at the library.
  • Coordinate and prioritize cataloging and metadata for SC materials.
  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Collaborate with other IRC staff on special projects, publications and research for members, leaders or HQ staff.

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.

Special collections librarian vs children's librarian skills

Common special collections librarian skills
  • Customer Accounts, 27%
  • Collection Development, 12%
  • Outbound Calls, 10%
  • Problem Accounts, 9%
  • Collection Efforts, 8%
  • Reference Assistance, 8%
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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