What does a special library librarian do?
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.
Special library librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special library librarian resumes:
- Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
- Achieve proficiency cataloging electronic materials (audio records, video recordings, and streaming video) and continuing resources/serials.
- Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.
Special library librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Special Library Librarians are proficient in Library Services, Professional Development, and Library Resources. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Problem-solving skills, and Reading skills.
We break down the percentage of Special Library Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Library Services, 16%
Lead library on issues related to the technical side of digital library services.
- Professional Development, 10%
Facilitate professional development workshops that assist educators in improving teaching strategies, academic growth, and engagement in the classroom.
- Library Resources, 9%
Performed collection development of all library resources with an annual print material budget of $100,000.
- Collection Development, 9%
Assisted the Director in annual strategic and budget planning and collection development.
- Library Science, 8%
Worked with Education, Library Science, Psychology, and Social Work professors to meet the needs of their students.
- Reference Services, 7%
Provide reference services using years of experience, books, periodicals, online databases and referrals to subject experts.
Common skills that a special library librarian uses to do their job include "library services," "professional development," and "library resources." You can find details on the most important special library librarian responsibilities below.
Initiative. The most essential soft skill for a special library librarian to carry out their responsibilities is initiative. This skill is important for the role because "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do." Additionally, a special library librarian resume shows how their duties depend on initiative: "lead digital literacy initiatives and assessment of learning outcomes. "
Problem-solving skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling special library librarian duties is problem-solving skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "librarians conduct and assist with research." According to a special library librarian resume, here's how special library librarians can utilize problem-solving skills in their job responsibilities: "investigate open source solutions for various library functions including planning for migration to new ils. "
Reading skills. special library librarians are also known for reading skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special library librarian responsibilities, because "librarians must be excellent readers." A special library librarian resume example shows how reading skills is used in the workplace: "assisted students with locating research and good reading material. "
Communication skills. special library librarian responsibilities often require "communication skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." This resume example shows what special library librarians do with communication skills on a typical day: "revolutionized library services, communications and user access through automation. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for special library librarian responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of special library librarians all the time, as "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." An excerpt from a real special library librarian resume shows how this skill is central to what a special library librarian does: "demonstrated strong customer service and interpersonal skills by providing reference services to nasa/gsfc staff and one-on-one training on using online searching. "
Technology skills. Lastly, "technology skills" is an important element of what a special library librarian does. Special library librarian responsibilities require this skill because "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." This resume example highlights how special library librarian duties rely on this skill: "help develop and implement innovative library services in an environment of changing technology. "
The three companies that hire the most special library librarians are:
- West Virginia University4 special library librarians jobs
- The New York Public Library3 special library librarians jobs
- Americorps3 special library librarians jobs
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Compare different special library librarians
Special library librarian vs. Circulation director
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, special library librarian responsibilities require skills like "library services," "professional development," "library resources," and "collection development." Meanwhile a typical circulation director has skills in areas such as "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
The education levels that circulation directors earn slightly differ from special library librarians. In particular, circulation directors are 21.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a special library librarian. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special library librarian vs. Cataloger
Each career also uses different skills, according to real special library librarian resumes. While special library librarian responsibilities can utilize skills like "library services," "professional development," "library resources," and "library science," catalogers use skills like "library catalog," "online database," "lcsh," and "subject headings."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Catalogers tend to reach lower levels of education than special library librarians. In fact, they're 8.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special library librarian vs. Circulation supervisor
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special library librarians are more likely to have skills like "professional development," "library resources," "library science," and "mls." But a circulation supervisor is more likely to have skills like "library policies," "student assistants," "library patrons," and "circulation services."
When it comes to education, circulation supervisors tend to earn lower degree levels compared to special library librarians. In fact, they're 15.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Special library librarian vs. Library supervisor
Types of special library librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
