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Reference librarian vs reference library assistant

The differences between reference librarians and reference library assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a reference librarian has an average salary of $50,409, which is higher than the $27,791 average annual salary of a reference library assistant.

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

Reference librarian vs reference library assistant overview

Reference LibrarianReference Library Assistant
Yearly salary$50,409$27,791
Hourly rate$24.24$13.36
Growth rate6%-4%
Number of jobs1,0581,130
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4847
Years of experience2-

Reference librarian vs reference library assistant salary

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

Reference LibrarianReference Library Assistant
Average salary$50,409$27,791
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $70,000Between $21,000 And $36,000
Highest paying CityAnchorage, AK-
Highest paying stateAlaska-
Best paying companyYale University-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between reference librarian and reference library assistant education

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

Reference LibrarianReference Library Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 56%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceEnglish
Most common collegeNew York UniversityStanford University

Reference librarian vs reference library assistant demographics

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

Reference LibrarianReference Library Assistant
Average age4847
Gender ratioMale, 33.3% Female, 66.7%Male, 38.7% Female, 61.3%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.2% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage16%11%

Differences between reference librarian and reference library assistant 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

Reference library assistant example responsibilities.

  • Construct and manage subject LibGuides.
  • Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.
  • Perform elementary descriptive cataloging using automate bibliographic database.

Reference librarian vs reference library assistant skills

Common reference librarian skills
  • Reference Services, 11%
  • Library Patrons, 9%
  • Collection Development, 9%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Research Guides, 6%
  • Reference Desk, 4%
Common reference library assistant skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Library Materials, 12%
  • Library Patrons, 8%
  • Research Assistance, 7%
  • Reference Services, 7%
  • Library Resources, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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