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The differences between children's librarians and research 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 children's librarian and a research librarian. Additionally, a research librarian has an average salary of $51,263, which is higher than the $49,900 average annual salary of a children's librarian.
The top three skills for a children's librarian include reference services, collection development and youth services. The most important skills for a research librarian are research support, library services, and collection development.
| Children's Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $49,900 | $51,263 |
| Hourly rate | $23.99 | $24.65 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 9,834 | 45,828 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
The primary duty of a research librarian is to assist scholars, students, and other researchers in finding books and other study materials. Research librarians handle integrated library systems such as serials control, acquisitions, and cataloging. They create and maintain the library's intranet portal using Microsoft SharePoint. Part of their job is to instruct and assist staff on the proper usage of intranet catalogs and other research databases. They establish a partnership with the other librarians to design and provide information and library literacy instruction to the student body.
Children's librarians and research librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Children's Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average salary | $49,900 | $51,263 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $70,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Harvard University |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a children's librarian and a research librarian in terms of educational background:
| Children's Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | New York University |
Here are the differences between children's librarians' and research librarians' demographics:
| Children's Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 10.6% Female, 89.4% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 16% | 16% |