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Medical librarian vs research librarian

The differences between medical 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 a medical librarian and a research librarian. Additionally, a medical librarian has an average salary of $54,614, which is higher than the $51,263 average annual salary of a research librarian.

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

Medical librarian vs research librarian overview

Medical LibrarianResearch Librarian
Yearly salary$54,614$51,263
Hourly rate$26.26$24.65
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs45,26245,828
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Medical librarian vs research librarian salary

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

Medical LibrarianResearch Librarian
Average salary$54,614$51,263
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $78,000Between $35,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Harvard University
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between medical librarian and research librarian education

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

Medical LibrarianResearch Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Medical librarian vs research librarian demographics

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

Medical LibrarianResearch Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 19.6% Female, 80.4%Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between medical librarian and research 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.

Research librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Order materials and perform literature searches using OCLC.
  • Utilize Microsoft SharePoint to create and maintain the library intranet portal.
  • Advise clients using factual data in the Lexis Nexis computer system.
  • Train staff for ILS use.
  • Provide web content via LibGuides.
  • Show more

Medical librarian vs research 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 research librarian skills
  • Research Support, 13%
  • Library Services, 9%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Research Services, 6%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Research Projects, 6%

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