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The differences between instruction 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 an instruction librarian and a research librarian. Additionally, a research librarian has an average salary of $51,263, which is higher than the $50,234 average annual salary of an instruction librarian.
The top three skills for an instruction librarian include collection development, library services and reference services. The most important skills for a research librarian are research support, library services, and collection development.
| Instruction Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $50,234 | $51,263 |
| Hourly rate | $24.15 | $24.65 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 1,276 | 45,828 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
The primary role of an instruction librarian is to create educational experiences. Instruction librarians design instructional materials and develop learning objects, assessment tools, and learning outcomes in different learning environments. These librarians serve as liaisons as they meet with students and faculty for research and teaching purposes. They promote and offer training for information literacy opportunities such as database access, computer literacy, and research. It is also their responsibility to maintain awareness of library and information technologies.
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.
Instruction librarians and research librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Instruction Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average salary | $50,234 | $51,263 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $71,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tacoma, WA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Kern Community College District | Harvard University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between an instruction librarian and a research librarian in terms of educational background:
| Instruction Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | New York University | New York University |
Here are the differences between instruction librarians' and research librarians' demographics:
| Instruction Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% | 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% |