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Serials cataloger librarian vs reference librarian

The differences between serials cataloger librarians and reference 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 serials cataloger librarian and a reference librarian. Additionally, a serials cataloger librarian has an average salary of $52,924, which is higher than the $50,409 average annual salary of a reference librarian.

Serials cataloger librarian vs reference librarian overview

Serials Cataloger LibrarianReference Librarian
Yearly salary$52,924$50,409
Hourly rate$25.44$24.24
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs9891,058
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4848
Years of experience22

Serials cataloger librarian vs reference librarian salary

Serials cataloger librarians and reference librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Serials Cataloger LibrarianReference Librarian
Average salary$52,924$50,409
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $77,000Between $35,000 And $70,000
Highest paying City-Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Yale University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between serials cataloger librarian and reference librarian education

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

Serials Cataloger LibrarianReference Librarian
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorEnglishLibrary Science
Most common collegeNew York UniversityNew York University

Serials cataloger librarian vs reference librarian demographics

Here are the differences between serials cataloger librarians' and reference librarians' demographics:

Serials Cataloger LibrarianReference Librarian
Average age4848
Gender ratioMale, 61.5% Female, 38.5%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.5% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 6.1% Asian, 3.8% White, 81.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%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%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between serials cataloger librarian and reference librarian duties and responsibilities

Serials cataloger librarian example responsibilities.

  • Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.
  • Provide opportunities for students to use the library for class-relate research, individual investigation, independent reading, and personal inquiry.

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.
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