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The differences between special library librarians and research 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 library librarian and a research librarian. Additionally, a special library librarian has an average salary of $52,343, which is higher than the $51,263 average annual salary of a research librarian.
The top three skills for a special library librarian include library services, professional development and library resources. The most important skills for a research librarian are research support, library services, and collection development.
| Special Library Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Yearly salary | $52,343 | $51,263 |
| Hourly rate | $25.16 | $24.65 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 12,477 | 45,828 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A special library librarian is responsible for the library which contains specialized materials for commercial and government organizations. They select and order library books and protect audio-video materials, periodical journals, and magazines from damage. They are responsible for locating, filing, and cataloguing.
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.
Special library librarians and research librarians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Special Library Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average salary | $52,343 | $51,263 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Northern California Power Agency | Harvard University |
| Best paying industry | - | Professional |
There are a few differences between a special library librarian and a research librarian in terms of educational background:
| Special Library Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Library Science | Library Science |
| Most common college | University of Maryland - College Park | New York University |
Here are the differences between special library librarians' and research librarians' demographics:
| Special Library Librarian | Research Librarian | |
| Average age | 48 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 4.9% White, 77.0% 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, 77.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |