Special collections librarian vs school librarian

The differences between special collections librarians and school 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 school librarian. Additionally, a special collections librarian has an average salary of $53,149, which is higher than the $51,202 average annual salary of a school librarian.

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

Special collections librarian vs school librarian overview

	Special Collections Librarian	School Librarian
Yearly salary	$53,149	$51,202
Hourly rate	$25.55	$24.62
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	14,416	20,037
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	48	48
Years of experience	2	2

Special collections librarian vs school librarian salary

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

	Special Collections Librarian	School Librarian
Average salary	$53,149	$51,202
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $77,000	Between $34,000 And $75,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Poly Prep Country Day School
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between special collections librarian and school librarian education

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

	Special Collections Librarian	School Librarian
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 46%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Business	Library Science
Most common college	University of Southern California	University of Maryland - College Park

Special collections librarian vs school librarian demographics

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

	Special Collections Librarian	School Librarian
Average age	48	48
Gender ratio	Male, 42.0% Female, 58.0%	Male, 16.3% Female, 83.7%
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, 6.3% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 4.8% White, 77.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between special collections librarian and school 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.

School librarian example responsibilities.

Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.
Volunteer to host events at annual school carnival and other PTA and school events.
Guide them in researching through a non fiction books, encyclopedia entry, and the elibrary BigChalk database.
Institute the use of computers in the library for cataloging, online searching, reference, bibliographies, and administrative functions.
Direct and train library staff in duties, such as receiving, shelving, researching, cataloging, and equipment use.
Manage and supervise a full-time media assistant, technology technicians and parent and student volunteers.

Special collections librarian vs school 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 school librarian skills

Library Services, 11%
Library Resources, 9%
Library Materials, 9%
Library Programs, 7%
Collection Development, 6%
Library Collection, 5%

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Special Collections Librarian
Special Collections Librarian vs School Librarian

Updated January 8, 2025

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