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 library supervisor

The differences between reference librarians and library 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 library supervisor. Additionally, a library supervisor has an average salary of $53,615, 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 library supervisor are library materials, library patrons, and library services.

Reference librarian vs library supervisor overview

Reference LibrarianLibrary Supervisor
Yearly salary$50,409$53,615
Hourly rate$24.24$25.78
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs1,0581,781
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Reference librarian vs library supervisor salary

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Supervisor
Average salary$50,409$53,615
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $37,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AK-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyYale University-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between reference librarian and library supervisor education

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Supervisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceBusiness
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Reference librarian vs library supervisor demographics

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

Reference LibrarianLibrary Supervisor
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 41.6% Female, 58.4%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between reference librarian and library 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

Library supervisor example responsibilities.

  • Provide safety and security oversight of the library, training and updating evacuation/plot plans and extinguishment methods.
  • Trouble shoot and replace lap tops, rent out dvds.
  • Learned to repair library material such as books, DVDs and CDs.
  • Record retention.SecurityDuties include enforcing the rules and regulations of TDCJ.

Reference librarian vs library 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 library supervisor skills
  • Library Materials, 13%
  • Library Patrons, 10%
  • Library Services, 9%
  • Library Operations, 9%
  • Library Policies, 7%
  • Student Assistants, 6%

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