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Youth services librarian vs technical services librarian

The differences between youth services librarians and technical 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 youth services librarian and a technical services librarian. Additionally, a technical services librarian has an average salary of $50,657, which is higher than the $49,971 average annual salary of a youth services librarian.

The top three skills for a youth services librarian include social work, mental health and community outreach. The most important skills for a technical services librarian are library services, collection development, and library resources.

Youth services librarian vs technical services librarian overview

Youth Services LibrarianTechnical Services Librarian
Yearly salary$49,971$50,657
Hourly rate$24.02$24.35
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs55,418118,696
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
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 technical services librarian do?

A technical services librarian is responsible for overseeing the technical and circulation services at a library. Typical duties for this role include supervising the technical and circulation staff, working closely with other library services, and directing the activities on library automation. In addition, you will make technical decisions involving the use and management of bibliographic records based on accepted standards. As a technical services librarian, it is also your responsibility to assist in the preparation of the library's annual budget and contribute to collection and acquisition development initiatives.

Youth services librarian vs technical services librarian salary

Youth services librarians and technical services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Youth Services LibrarianTechnical Services Librarian
Average salary$49,971$50,657
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $71,000Between $36,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityWest Sacramento, CACharlottesville, VA
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyYale University
Best paying industryEducationProfessional

Differences between youth services librarian and technical services librarian education

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

Youth Services LibrarianTechnical Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyLibrary Science
Most common collegeUniversity of WashingtonNew York University

Youth services librarian vs technical services librarian demographics

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

Youth Services LibrarianTechnical Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 27.1% Female, 72.9%Male, 32.3% Female, 67.7%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between youth services librarian and technical services 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

Technical services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Proofread and edit MARC records, perform database clean-up, and maintain records in online catalog.
  • Coordinate cataloging, classification and processing of books and audiovisual materials.
  • Identify and refer items that need attention of the cataloging or conservation department
  • Open new patron accounts, provide customer support regarding account status and work with Polaris systems.

Youth services librarian vs technical services 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 technical services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 9%
  • Collection Development, 7%
  • Library Resources, 5%
  • Technical Service, 5%
  • Library Materials, 4%
  • Emerging Technologies, 4%

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