Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesJob Outlook

Compare

Part Time jobsFull Time jobs

Reference librarian vs circulation supervisor

The differences between reference librarians and circulation supervisors 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 a circulation supervisor. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $38,076 average annual salary of a circulation supervisor.

The top three skills for a reference librarian include reference services, library patrons and collection development. The most important skills for a circulation supervisor are library materials, library policies, and student assistants.

Reference librarian vs circulation supervisor overview

Reference LibrarianCirculation Supervisor
Yearly salary$50,409$38,076
Hourly rate$24.24$18.31
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,058957
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Reference librarian vs circulation supervisor salary

Reference librarians and circulation supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reference LibrarianCirculation Supervisor
Average salary$50,409$38,076
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $23,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AK-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyYale University-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between reference librarian and circulation supervisor education

There are a few differences between a reference librarian and a circulation supervisor in terms of educational background:

Reference LibrarianCirculation Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Reference librarian vs circulation supervisor demographics

Here are the differences between reference librarians' and circulation supervisors' demographics:

Reference LibrarianCirculation Supervisor
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 38.6% Female, 61.4%
Race ratioBlack 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, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 8.0% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between reference librarian and circulation supervisor 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.
    • Show more

Circulation supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Introduce and manage BPA audit procedures for independent distribution verification.
  • Full cataloging of texts, journals, articles, and media within faculty and student library.
  • Restructure TMC delivery from non-targete rural delivery to a target porch delivery with a considerable long term cost savings.
  • Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Reference librarian vs circulation supervisor skills

Common reference librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 11%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Research Guides, 6%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
Common circulation supervisor skills
  • Library Materials, 12%
  • Library Policies, 11%
  • Student Assistants, 9%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Circulation Services, 5%
  • Library Services, 5%

Reference Librarian vs. similar jobs

Reference Librarian related careers

Reference Librarian related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse education, training, and library jobs