Post job

Interlibrary loan librarian vs reference librarian

The differences between interlibrary loan 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 an interlibrary loan librarian and a reference librarian. Additionally, an interlibrary loan librarian has an average salary of $52,814, which is higher than the $50,409 average annual salary of a reference librarian.

The top three skills for an interlibrary loan librarian include OCLC, database and reference assistance. The most important skills for a reference librarian are reference services, library patrons, and collection development.

Interlibrary loan librarian vs reference librarian overview

Interlibrary Loan LibrarianReference Librarian
Yearly salary$52,814$50,409
Hourly rate$25.39$24.24
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs9,6871,058
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Interlibrary loan librarian vs reference librarian salary

Interlibrary loan librarians and reference librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Interlibrary Loan LibrarianReference Librarian
Average salary$52,814$50,409
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $78,000Between $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 interlibrary loan librarian and reference librarian education

There are a few differences between an interlibrary loan librarian and a reference librarian in terms of educational background:

Interlibrary Loan LibrarianReference Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Interlibrary loan librarian vs reference librarian demographics

Here are the differences between interlibrary loan librarians' and reference librarians' demographics:

Interlibrary Loan LibrarianReference Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 26.2% Female, 73.8%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between interlibrary loan librarian and reference librarian duties and responsibilities

Interlibrary loan librarian example responsibilities.

  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.

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.
  • Show more

Interlibrary loan librarian vs reference librarian skills

Common interlibrary loan librarian skills
  • OCLC, 33%
  • Database, 27%
  • Reference Assistance, 22%
  • Circulation Desk, 18%
Common reference librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 11%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Research Guides, 6%
  • Reference Desk, 4%

Browse education, training, and library jobs