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Research librarian vs adult services librarian

The differences between research librarians and adult services 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 research librarian and an adult services librarian. Additionally, a research librarian has an average salary of $51,263, which is higher than the $49,862 average annual salary of an adult services librarian.

The top three skills for a research librarian include research support, library services and collection development. The most important skills for an adult services librarian are adult services, collection development, and adult programs.

Research librarian vs adult services librarian overview

Research LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Yearly salary$51,263$49,862
Hourly rate$24.65$23.97
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs45,82854,306
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Research librarian vs adult services librarian salary

Research librarians and adult services librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Research LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average salary$51,263$49,862
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $74,000Between $35,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CityPhiladelphia, PAAnchorage, AK
Highest paying stateAlaskaAlaska
Best paying companyHarvard UniversityCity of Seattle
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between research librarian and adult services librarian education

There are a few differences between a research librarian and an adult services librarian in terms of educational background:

Research LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorLibrary ScienceLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Research librarian vs adult services librarian demographics

Here are the differences between research librarians' and adult services librarians' demographics:

Research LibrarianAdult Services Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 35.7% Female, 64.3%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between research librarian and adult services librarian duties and responsibilities

Research librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Order materials and perform literature searches using OCLC.
  • Utilize Microsoft SharePoint to create and maintain the library intranet portal.
  • Advise clients using factual data in the Lexis Nexis computer system.
  • Train staff for ILS use.
  • Provide web content via LibGuides.
  • Show more

Adult services librarian example responsibilities.

  • Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
  • Assist with general collection management including materials in science fiction, fantasy, health/fitness and history.
  • Train new hire employees with new EMR system
  • Form the young adult (teen) serves department, collection, and programs.
  • Evaluate, select, weed and replace materials in the adult and teen collection.
  • Cataloge new books, find and correct cataloging errors; classify and re-cataloge older non-fiction.
  • Show more

Research librarian vs adult services librarian skills

Common research librarian skills
  • Research Support, 13%
  • Library Services, 9%
  • Collection Development, 8%
  • Research Services, 6%
  • Library Resources, 6%
  • Research Projects, 6%
Common adult services librarian skills
  • Adult Services, 14%
  • Collection Development, 10%
  • Adult Programs, 7%
  • Library Services, 7%
  • Reference Services, 5%
  • Library Patrons, 5%

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