Special collections librarian vs librarian

The differences between special collections librarians and 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 special collections librarian and a librarian. Additionally, a special collections librarian has an average salary of $53,149, which is higher than the $53,096 average annual salary of a librarian.

The top three skills for a special collections librarian include customer accounts, collection development and outbound calls. The most important skills for a librarian are library services, customer service, and library materials.

Special collections librarian vs librarian overview

	Special Collections Librarian	Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,149	$53,096
Hourly rate	$25.55	$25.53
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	1,264
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs librarian salary

Special collections librarians and librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Special Collections Librarian	Librarian
Average salary	$53,149	$53,096
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $38,000 And $73,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between special collections librarian and librarian education

There are a few differences between a special collections librarian and a librarian in terms of educational background:

	Special Collections Librarian	Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common major	Business	Library Science
Most common college	University of Southern California	New York University

Special collections librarian vs librarian demographics

Here are the differences between special collections librarians' and librarians' demographics:

	Special Collections Librarian	Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 5.0% White, 76.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%	Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special collections librarian and librarian duties and responsibilities

Special collections librarian example responsibilities.

Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Check in new journals in the database.
Provide reference and interlibrary loan services and instruct users on use of computers, database tools for research at the library.
Coordinate and prioritize cataloging and metadata for SC materials.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
Collaborate with other IRC staff on special projects, publications and research for members, leaders or HQ staff.

Librarian example responsibilities.

Plan and manage weekly toddler programs and activities.
Recruit, train, and manage volunteers, teen ambassadors, book buddies, elderly volunteers, and teen tech assistants.
Manage adult non-fiction materials and coordinate staff.
Manage and maintain inventory of NAVAIR technical documentation.
Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.

Special collections librarian vs librarian skills

Common special collections librarian skills

Customer Accounts, 27%
Collection Development, 12%
Outbound Calls, 10%
Problem Accounts, 9%
Collection Efforts, 8%
Reference Assistance, 8%

Common librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Customer Service, 10%
Library Materials, 8%
Collection Development, 7%
Library Resources, 6%
Reference Services, 5%

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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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