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Medical librarian vs librarian

The differences between medical librarians and 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 medical librarian and a librarian. Additionally, a medical librarian has an average salary of $54,614, which is higher than the $53,096 average annual salary of a librarian.

The top three skills for a medical librarian include patient care, health system and library resources. The most important skills for a librarian are library services, customer service, and library materials.

Medical librarian vs librarian overview

Medical LibrarianLibrarian
Yearly salary$54,614$53,096
Hourly rate$26.26$25.53
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs45,2621,264
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Medical librarian vs librarian salary

Medical librarians and librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Medical LibrarianLibrarian
Average salary$54,614$53,096
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $38,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Meta
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between medical librarian and librarian education

There are a few differences between a medical librarian and a librarian in terms of educational background:

Medical LibrarianLibrarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Medical librarian vs librarian demographics

Here are the differences between medical librarians' and librarians' demographics:

Medical LibrarianLibrarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 19.6% Female, 80.4%Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between medical librarian and librarian duties and responsibilities

Medical librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
  • Evaluate and execute no-cost online library system for cataloging and circulating library materials.
  • Develop organization's first set of library policies and procedures for acquiring, cataloging and lending materials and program development.
  • Create and maintain the department SharePoint site.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

Librarian example responsibilities.

  • Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
  • Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
  • Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
  • Show more

Medical librarian vs librarian skills

Common medical librarian skills
  • Patient Care, 22%
  • Health System, 13%
  • Library Resources, 10%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Electronic Resources, 8%
  • Medical Literature, 5%
Common librarian skills
  • Library Services, 11%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Library Materials, 8%
  • Collection Development, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Reference Services, 5%

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