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Medical librarian vs public services librarian

The differences between medical librarians and public services 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 public services librarian. Additionally, a medical librarian has an average salary of $54,614, which is higher than the $49,867 average annual salary of a public services librarian.

The top three skills for a medical librarian include patient care, health system and library resources. The most important skills for a public services librarian are library services, collection development, and reference services.

Medical librarian vs public services librarian overview

Medical LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Yearly salary$54,614$49,867
Hourly rate$26.26$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs45,26262,620
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Medical librarian vs public services librarian salary

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

Medical LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average salary$54,614$49,867
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Santa Rosa, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Yale University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between medical librarian and public services librarian education

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

Medical LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 46%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Medical librarian vs public services librarian demographics

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

Medical LibrarianPublic Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 19.6% Female, 80.4%Male, 41.9% Female, 58.1%
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, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between medical librarian and public services 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.

Public services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Perform original and copy cataloging of new acquisitions.
  • Perform various technical services including cataloging, weeding, and authority control.
  • 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.

Medical librarian vs public services 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 public services librarian skills
  • Library Services, 15%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Reference Services, 9%
  • Library Policies, 8%
  • Technical Publications, 7%
  • Technical Manuals, 6%

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