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Youth services librarian vs children's librarian

The differences between youth services 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 youth services librarian and a children's librarian. Additionally, a youth services librarian has an average salary of $49,971, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.

The top three skills for a youth services librarian include social work, mental health and community outreach. The most important skills for a children's librarian are reference services, collection development, and youth services.

Youth services librarian vs children's librarian overview

Youth Services LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Yearly salary$49,971$49,900
Hourly rate$24.02$23.99
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,4189,834
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

What does a youth services librarian do?

Youth services librarians are people who plan and conduct the library's programs and services for children. The librarians execute their tasks under the supervision of a library director. They communicate with teachers, parents, homeschoolers, and community members for library service improvement. Their job includes assisting library patrons in search of the necessary material in answering reference questions and offering reader advisory. Also, they uphold patrons' confidentiality rights and their records.

What does a children's librarian do?

A Children's Librarian involves reading stories to young library users/patrons and returning books to their respective shelves. These librarians coordinate library references and services for caregivers and children. They choose age-appropriate and high-quality reading material, develop library initiatives, and conduct outreach programs. This position may be regarded as a stepping stone for a good career as the librarians may pursue graduate degrees. Librarians should have a sense of humor, the ability to accept failure, and be very flexible.

Youth services librarian vs children's librarian salary

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

Youth Services LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average salary$49,971$49,900
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $71,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityWest Sacramento, CA-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyUniversity of California, Berkeley-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between youth services librarian and children's librarian education

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

Youth Services LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Maryland - College Park

Youth services librarian vs children's librarian demographics

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

Youth Services LibrarianChildren's Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 27.1% Female, 72.9%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 youth services librarian and children's librarian duties and responsibilities

Youth services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Cataloge books using OCLC database.
  • Cataloge printed and non-print materials with OCLC.
  • Reorganize the entire children's picture book and fiction collections.
  • Develop, organize, cataloge and maintain library's serials collection.
  • Order and catalogue children's picture books, videos, DVDs, and parenting collections or other materials as needed.
  • 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.

Youth services librarian vs children's librarian skills

Common youth services librarian skills
  • Social Work, 19%
  • Mental Health, 16%
  • Community Outreach, 7%
  • Library Services, 6%
  • Collection Development, 5%
  • Library Materials, 4%
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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