Reference librarian vs school librarian

The differences between reference librarians and school 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 school librarian. Additionally, a school librarian has an average salary of $51,202, 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 school librarian are library services, library resources, and library materials.

Reference librarian vs school librarian overview

	Reference Librarian	School Librarian
Yearly salary	$50,409	$51,202
Hourly rate	$24.24	$24.62
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	1,058	20,037
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Reference librarian vs school librarian salary

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

	Reference Librarian	School Librarian
Average salary	$50,409	$51,202
Salary range	Between $35,000 And $70,000	Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	Anchorage, AK	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Alaska
Best paying company	Yale University	Poly Prep Country Day School
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between reference librarian and school librarian education

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

	Reference Librarian	School Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Library Science	Library Science
Most common college	New York University	University of Maryland - College Park

Reference librarian vs school librarian demographics

Here are the differences between reference librarians' and school librarians' demographics:

	Reference Librarian	School Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%	Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between reference librarian and school 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.

School librarian example responsibilities.

Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.

Reference librarian vs school 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 school librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Library Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 9%
Library Programs, 7%
Collection Development, 6%
Library Collection, 5%

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Reference Librarian
Reference Librarian vs School Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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