What does a research librarian do?
The primary duty of a research librarian is to assist scholars, students, and other researchers in finding books and other study materials. Research librarians handle integrated library systems such as serials control, acquisitions, and cataloging. They create and maintain the library's intranet portal using Microsoft SharePoint. Part of their job is to instruct and assist staff on the proper usage of intranet catalogs and other research databases. They establish a partnership with the other librarians to design and provide information and library literacy instruction to the student body.
Research librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research librarian resumes:
- 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.
- Classify in LC and used LCSH.
- Assist and instruct staff on the use of research databases and intranet catalogs.
- Implement online catalog by converting print catalog to a streamline online application using OCLC and EOSi software.
- Research litigation, securities, corporate, tax, environmental, patent, legislative history and competitive intelligence.
- Research and intranet orientation for all incoming attorneys.
- Cataloge books and media materials using Athena cataloging software.
- Scan documents into text-recognized electronic files and provide original cataloging.
- Review monthly Lexis and Westlaw usage to identify users needing additional training in cost-effective research techniques.
- Evaluate usage, selected/deselect, and watch for trends within fiction and non-fiction ranges.
Research librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Research Librarians are proficient in Research Support, Library Services, and Collection Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Research Support, 13%
Provided research support for editors, authors and illustrators creating patient education materials.
- Library Services, 9%
Conducted presentations of library services to all seminarians.
- Collection Development, 8%
Fulfilled information research and collection development for R&D, Legal and Business functions.
- Research Services, 6%
Provided in-depth information research services to faculty, staff and students at the library and through online access.
- Library Resources, 6%
Provided instructional sessions on specialized online library resources increasing employee self-sufficiency with article and content searches.
- Research Projects, 6%
Conduct research projects for medical writers * Maintain digital bibliography of published works
"research support," "library services," and "collection development" are among the most common skills that research librarians use at work. You can find even more research librarian responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a research librarian to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." Research librarians often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "develop, write, and edit communications and marketing materials for library services and resources. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform research librarian duties is initiative. Research librarians responsibilities require that "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." Research librarians also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "conduct research to support legal business development and marketing initiatives. "
Interpersonal skills. research librarians are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research librarian responsibilities, because "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." A research librarian resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "demonstrated strong customer service and interpersonal skills by providing reference services to nasa/gsfc staff and one-on-one training on using online searching. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain research librarian responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a research librarian rely on this skill, as "librarians conduct and assist with research." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what research librarians do: "verified interlibrary loan requests, managed workflow for desk duties and resolved client issues. "
Reading skills. Another common skill required for research librarian responsibilities is "reading skills." This skill comes up in the duties of research librarians all the time, as "librarians must be excellent readers." An excerpt from a real research librarian resume shows how this skill is central to what a research librarian does: "assist in shelf reading, weeding, shifting, and collection development. "
Technology skills. Another skill commonly found on research librarian job descriptions is "technology skills." It can come up quite often in research librarian duties, since "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day research librarian responsibilities: "provided collection development for science and technology. "
The three companies that hire the most research librarians are:
- M.I.T. International, Inc.2 research librarians jobs
- University of Pennsylvania2 research librarians jobs
- University of Virginia2 research librarians jobs
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Compare different research librarians
Research librarian vs. Cataloger
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research librarians and cataloger. For instance, research librarian responsibilities require skills such as "research support," "library services," "research services," and "library resources." Whereas a cataloger is skilled in "library catalog," "rda," "online database," and "lcsh." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Catalogers really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $40,571. Comparatively, research librarians tend to make the most money in the professional industry with an average salary of $65,934.catalogers tend to reach lower levels of education than research librarians. In fact, catalogers are 8.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 3.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research librarian vs. Circulation supervisor
Each career also uses different skills, according to real research librarian resumes. While research librarian responsibilities can utilize skills like "research support," "research services," "library resources," and "research projects," circulation supervisors use skills like "library policies," "student assistants," "library patrons," and "circulation services."
In general, circulation supervisors achieve lower levels of education than research librarians. They're 16.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 3.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research librarian vs. Circulation director
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research librarian is likely to be skilled in "research support," "library services," "collection development," and "research services," while a typical circulation director is skilled in "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Most circulation directors achieve a lower degree level compared to research librarians. For example, they're 22.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 2.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research librarian vs. Library supervisor
Types of research librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
