Reference librarian vs collection management librarian

The differences between reference librarians and collection management 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 a collection management librarian. Additionally, a collection management librarian has an average salary of $56,311, which is higher than the $50,409 average annual salary of a reference librarian.

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

Reference librarian vs collection management librarian overview

	Reference Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Yearly salary	$50,409	$56,311
Hourly rate	$24.24	$27.07
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,058	63,441
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

What does a reference librarian do?

Being a reference librarian requires good people skills, knowledge in their respective fields, and good teaching ability to handle the varied responsibilities. Job duties include the interpretation, recommendation, evaluation, and use of information resources in order to assist library patrons with their respective information requirements. These are tasks that will just as often be conducted through phone chat and email as in person.

What does a collection management librarian do?

As a collection management librarian, one must perform the tasks associated with library services, especially in collection management. Collection management librarians monitor, analyze, and report collection management data. The librarians establish and maintain the collection management plan of the team for the rear area and conceptualize and deliver outreach opportunities with the community and city organizations promoting library services, programs, and resources. They are also skilled in electronic resources, collection development, and insurance companies.

Reference librarian vs collection management librarian salary

Reference librarians and collection management librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Reference Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Average salary	$50,409	$56,311
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $70,000	Between $40,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Yale University	-
Best paying industry	Education	-

Differences between reference librarian and collection management librarian education

There are a few differences between a reference librarian and a collection management librarian in terms of educational background:

	Reference Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 52%
Most common major	Library Science	Business
Most common college	New York University	Stanford University

Reference librarian vs collection management librarian demographics

Here are the differences between reference librarians' and collection management librarians' demographics:

	Reference Librarian	Collection Management Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%	Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
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, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between reference librarian and collection management 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.

Collection management librarian example responsibilities.

Prepare appeals and refunds for incorrect paid claims, resolve patient account disputes, manage AR and aging reports
Open and close accounts (checking, savings, IRA), managing all death and disability claims and ACH transactions.
Manage document delivery via Docline and consortia memberships.
Provide reference and instruction for undergraduate, HTML & CSS graduate, and online courses.
Process and post payroll for all area hospitals.
Implement MVC architecture for presentation and business layers.

Reference librarian vs collection management 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 collection management librarian skills

Collection Management, 16%
Library Services, 11%
Collection Development, 10%
Electronic Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 8%
Patient Accounts, 6%

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Reference Librarian
Reference Librarian vs Collection Management Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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