Reference librarian vs adult services librarian

The differences between reference librarians and adult 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 reference librarian and an adult services librarian. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $49,862 average annual salary of an adult services librarian.

The top three skills for a reference librarian include reference services, library patrons and collection development. The most important skills for an adult services librarian are adult services, collection development, and adult programs.

Reference librarian vs adult services librarian overview

	Reference Librarian	Adult Services Librarian
Yearly salary	$50,409	$49,862
Hourly rate	$24.24	$23.97
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,058	54,306
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Reference librarian vs adult services librarian salary

Reference librarians and adult services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Reference Librarian	Adult Services Librarian
Average salary	$50,409	$49,862
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $70,000	Between $35,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Yale University	City of Seattle
Best paying industry	Education	Government

Differences between reference librarian and adult services librarian education

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

	Reference Librarian	Adult Services Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	New York University

Reference librarian vs adult services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between reference librarians' and adult services librarians' demographics:

	Reference Librarian	Adult Services Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%	Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between reference librarian and adult services librarian duties and responsibilities

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.

Adult services librarian example responsibilities.

Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Assist with general collection management including materials in science fiction, fantasy, health/fitness and history.
Train new hire employees with new EMR system
Form the young adult (teen) serves department, collection, and programs.
Evaluate, select, weed and replace materials in the adult and teen collection.
Cataloge new books, find and correct cataloging errors; classify and re-cataloge older non-fiction.

Reference librarian vs adult services librarian skills

Common reference librarian skills

Reference Services, 11%
Library Patrons, 9%
Collection Development, 9%
Library Services, 7%
Research Guides, 6%
Reference Desk, 4%

Common adult services librarian skills

Adult Services, 14%
Collection Development, 10%
Adult Programs, 7%
Library Services, 7%
Reference Services, 5%
Library Patrons, 5%

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Reference Librarian
Reference Librarian vs Adult Services Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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