Post job

Circulation supervisor vs research librarian

The differences between circulation supervisors 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 circulation supervisor and a research librarian. Additionally, a research librarian has an average salary of $51,263, which is higher than the $38,076 average annual salary of a circulation supervisor.

The top three skills for a circulation supervisor include library materials, library policies and student assistants. The most important skills for a research librarian are research support, library services, and collection development.

Circulation supervisor vs research librarian overview

Circulation SupervisorResearch Librarian
Yearly salary$38,076$51,263
Hourly rate$18.31$24.65
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs95745,828
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Circulation supervisor vs research librarian salary

Circulation supervisors and research librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Circulation SupervisorResearch Librarian
Average salary$38,076$51,263
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $62,000Between $35,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Harvard University
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between circulation supervisor and research librarian education

There are a few differences between a circulation supervisor and a research librarian in terms of educational background:

Circulation SupervisorResearch Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorBusinessLibrary Science
Most common collegeStanford UniversityNew York University

Circulation supervisor vs research librarian demographics

Here are the differences between circulation supervisors' and research librarians' demographics:

Circulation SupervisorResearch Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 38.6% Female, 61.4%Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% 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 circulation supervisor and research librarian duties and responsibilities

Circulation supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Introduce and manage BPA audit procedures for independent distribution verification.
  • Full cataloging of texts, journals, articles, and media within faculty and student library.
  • Restructure TMC delivery from non-targete rural delivery to a target porch delivery with a considerable long term cost savings.
  • Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Research librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Order materials and perform literature searches using OCLC.
  • Utilize Microsoft SharePoint to create and maintain the library intranet portal.
  • Advise clients using factual data in the Lexis Nexis computer system.
  • Train staff for ILS use.
  • Provide web content via LibGuides.
  • Show more

Circulation supervisor vs research librarian skills

Common circulation supervisor skills
  • Library Materials, 12%
  • Library Policies, 11%
  • Student Assistants, 9%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Circulation Services, 5%
  • Library Services, 5%
Common research librarian skills
  • Research Support, 13%
  • Library Services, 9%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Research Services, 6%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Research Projects, 6%

Browse education, training, and library jobs