Special collections librarian vs reference librarian

The differences between special collections 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 special collections librarian and a reference librarian. Additionally, a special collections librarian has an average salary of $53,149, which is higher than the $50,409 average annual salary of a reference librarian.

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

Special collections librarian vs reference librarian overview

	Special Collections Librarian	Reference Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,149	$50,409
Hourly rate	$25.55	$24.24
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	1,058
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs reference librarian salary

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Reference Librarian
Average salary	$53,149	$50,409
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $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 special collections librarian and reference librarian education

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Reference 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 reference librarian demographics

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

	Special Collections Librarian	Reference Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
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, 6.5% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 76.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special collections librarian and reference 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.

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.

Special collections librarian vs reference 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 reference librarian skills

Reference Services, 11%
Library Patrons, 9%
Collection Development, 9%
Library Services, 7%
Research Guides, 6%
Reference Desk, 4%

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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs Reference Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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