Document services librarian vs reference librarian

The differences between document services librarians and reference 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 document services librarian and a reference librarian. Additionally, a document services librarian has an average salary of $57,980, which is higher than the $50,409 average annual salary of a reference librarian.

Document services librarian vs reference librarian overview

	Document Services Librarian	Reference Librarian
Yearly salary	$57,980	$50,409
Hourly rate	$27.88	$24.24
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	55,459	1,058
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Document services librarian vs reference librarian salary

Document services librarians and reference librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Document Services Librarian	Reference Librarian
Average salary	$57,980	$50,409
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $82,000	Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City	-	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Yale University
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between document services librarian and reference librarian education

There are a few differences between a document services librarian and a reference librarian in terms of educational background:

	Document Services Librarian	Reference Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Library Science
Most common college	Stanford University	New York University

Document services librarian vs reference librarian demographics

Here are the differences between document services librarians' and reference librarians' demographics:

	Document Services Librarian	Reference Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between document services librarian and reference librarian duties and responsibilities

Document services librarian example responsibilities.

Support ISO audits for process documentation and software/ literature distribution, managing follow-up corrective action plans as needed.
Provide documents during FDA and internal audits.
Conduct reference research, cataloging, acquisitions.
Support multiple remote locations while generating cad library databases.
Create and maintain various databases cataloging drawings and other engineering library materials.
Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Reference librarian example responsibilities.

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Coordinate inter-library loan service, using OCLC searches to loan and borrow books and periodicals.
Perform reference and readers' advisory for patrons and staff via telephone, IM, email, and in person.
Perform copy-cataloging operations using OCLC database and online databases.
Maintain responsibility for collection management of the adult non-fiction collection.
Instigate student-librarian relationships and increase library productivity by regularly mentoring students in legal research, writing, and study methods.

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Document Services Librarian
Document Services Librarian vs Reference Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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