the electronic resources librarian position: a public services phenomenon?

The Electronic Resources Librarian position: a publicservices phenomenon?�

William Fisher*

Professor, School of Library & Information Science, San Jose State University,San Jose, CA 95192-0029, USA

Abstract

The development of the Electronic Resources Librarian position is reviewed using criteria listed injob advertisements from American Libraries. The research reveals that these positions have morepublic service attributes associated with them than was originally anticipated. A set of key charac-teristics is identified over a seventeen year time period. © 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rightsreserved.

Keywords: Electronic services librarian; Public services; Position advertisements

1. Introduction

As the library profession entered the last decade of the 20th century, many authors tookthe opportunity to survey where we stood—either the profession as a whole or some specificaspects of the profession—and speculate about the future. As you might imagine, or perhapsrecall, a number of these writings focused on the impact of technology, again eithertechnology in general or specific technological applications. One such author was AnnPrentice, who in 1990 wrote about the technological impact on library jobs [1]. Surveying thecurrent scene, Prentice felt that beyond the need for online searching skills, there had beenlittle change in the way reference service was performed to that point in time. She did,however, identify a clear trend necessitating a change in this area, especially in academiclibraries as faculty became more comfortable using a variety of electronic applications that

� From the Acquisitions Institute at Timberline.* Corresponding author.E-mail address: [email protected] (W. Fisher).

Pergamon

Library Collections, Acquisitions,& Technical Services 27 (2003) 3–17

1464-9055/03/$ – see front matter © 2003 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.doi:10.1016/S1464-9055(02)00303-2

would alter their relationship with their respective academic libraries and staffs. CeciliaStafford and William Serban, also writing in 1990, focused specifically on reference servicesand identified numerous technology-based “reference enhancers” that would influence thedelivery of reference services [2]. The “enhancers” ranged from CD-ROMs to e-mail to theuse of computer-assisted instruction being used in bibliographic instruction programs. In onesense both Prentice and Stafford and Serban were discussing what many libraries begancalling the Electronic Resources Librarian, the Electronic Information Librarian, and theDigital Information Librarian, among other titles.

As the 1990s progressed and a greater range of information became available in electronicformat as well as print, or sometimes instead of print, there was a greater focus on how tointegrate these electronic resources (full-text databases, e-books, multimedia presentations,and the like) into existing library collections. From this one might expect a greater emphasison collection development and/or acquisitions activities from librarian positions dealing withelectronic resources. However, a review of 298 positions advertised in American Librariesfrom 1985 through 2001 demonstrates this is not the case. While many of the positionannouncements analyzed did include collection development-related duties, these wereusually in addition to other (and sometimes more primary) duties typically thought of in apublic service context. This focus was not anticipated as the study began, and subsequentlythe results presented in this paper deal more with public service duties (including collectiondevelopment) than originally intended.

The original purpose of this study was to trace the development of the ElectronicResources Librarian position in an attempt to identify its “roots” in one aspect of theprofession or another—or perhaps some combination. A second purpose was to identify a setof characteristics needed to be successful in this type of position. Both of these purposes werefulfilled, although the results were somewhat unexpected. Acquisitions and related duties(like vendor relations and dealing with licensing agreements) were found in some of theposition announcements, but to a much lesser extent than anticipated. They were not amongthe most often cited characteristics in the announcements and thus not included in the“Results” section of the paper. It appears the position title of Electronic Resources Librarianhas been pre-empted by the public service sector of the profession.

2. Methodology

In an effort to trace both the development of the Electronic Resources Librarian positionas well as the evolution of the requirements for the position, job advertisements wereanalyzed for position title, the duties/responsibilities associated with the position, and thequalifications (both required and preferred) listed. The job ads appearing in AmericanLibraries from January 1985 through December 2001 were reviewed, first for position titleand then for the content of the advertisement itself. The 1985 starting date was purposelyselected as a date prior to the common usage of the job title of Electronic ResourcesLibrarian. This assumption was confirmed, as the first Electronic Resources Librarianposition announcement appeared in July/August 1992. The decision to use American Li-braries as the source for the job ads was made for two reasons. First, American Libraries

4 W. Fisher / Libr. Coll. Acq. & Tech. Serv. 27 (2003) 3–17

contains job ads from a variety of library environments. Although the majority of jobsanalyzed were from the academic sector, there are some positions from other environmentsrepresented. Second, a complete file of American Libraries for the dates involved was readilyavailable to the author.

What is included in this study? The job ads used had position titles related to electronicinformation sources. Chronologically, these positions evolved from coordinators for onlinesearching or computerized reference services to electronic services or resources positions toa more recent emphasis on web or digital based resources. Most of the duties associated withthe positions used in the study had to involve electronic resources of one type or another. Thefull list of position titles used is provided in chronological order in Appendix A andnumerous dual assignment positions are evident. What is not included in this study?Reference positions, where online or more recently web-based searching is listed as onecomponent of many to be performed but not emphasized either in the position title or as theprimary duty are not included. Systems or network administrator positions are not included,although a number of positions used in the study do have networking responsibilitiesassociated with them. Cataloging/metadata positions are not included; even though some ofthese position titles are similar to many used in the study, the descriptions focused oncataloging rather than collection development or acquisitions. Some of the positions used didinclude cataloging-related duties, but these were in addition to other, more primary aspectsof those positions. Regardless of a position’s title, an analysis of the job’s duties/responsi-bilities lead to the decision to either include the position in the study or eliminate it fromfurther consideration. Finally, when the same job ad appeared in sequential issues, the initialversion of the ad was used and subsequent versions disregarded. If the same job ad appearedtwo or more times non-sequentially within a 12 month timeframe, only the initial ad was usedunless the wording of the later ad(s) was substantially different from the first time itappeared. This was also the case if the ad appeared two or more times in a 24 monthtimeframe. Similar ads appearing over 24 months apart were treated independently, and bothwere used for the study.

3. Results

3.1. Position titles

A total of 298 job ads appearing over a 17 year time period were analyzed for this study.While the Electronic Resources Librarian position can trace its development back at leastuntil 1985, the distribution of ads used by year as found in Table 1 show ElectronicResources Librarian positions to be a product of the late 1990s. Additionally, these positionsare predominately found in academic libraries as Table 2 illustrates. It is here, however,where the use of American Libraries as the sole source for the job ads may be misleadingas medical, legal, and special libraries all have more specialized venues to announceopenings. In fact, four of the five law libraries were affiliated with law schools (the fifth ina law firm library), and 11 of the 15 medical libraries were part of medical schools, threeothers were National Library of Medicine regional sites and located with academic medical

5W. Fisher / Libr. Coll. Acq. & Tech. Serv. 27 (2003) 3–17

libraries, and the last was a teaching hospital library affiliated with a medical school. Finallythe two non-North American positions were also university-related.

If the position titles used reveal anything, it is a focus on finding information in anelectronic/technology based format in addition to or instead of more traditional print-basedformats. Some of the early positions used here were the once familiar “computerizedreference” and “database searching” positions, as the position titles in the Appendix illus-trate. We see our first use of “Electronic” in a position title in December 1988, with an adfor an Electronic Information Services Librarian. This position primarily dealt with provid-ing access to CD-ROM databases, a local information access system, and end-user orientedservices from the commercial database vendors. In September 1991, the first use of the term“electronic library” appears with an ad for a position in a medical library. The position itselfwas to develop and deliver training for the National Library of Medicine’s GRATEFULMEDsystem. In July/August 1992, we find an ad for a Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian,the first time the phrase is used in a position title among this sample. The actual dutiesassociated with this particular position included identifying and evaluating electronic infor-mation sources for possible acquisition, knowledge of stand-alone and networked systemsfor information retrieval, use of a range of resources from CD-ROMs to the Internet, and theability to train others how to use these systems and resources. All of these duties are fairlytypical of those associated with the positions analyzed. Mention of the Internet in this 1992announcement was significant, as it was one of the first times the Net was referenced. ByJanuary 1993, however, we have our first Internet-related position title with a Reference/Internet Services Librarian being sought to emphasize access to, resources from, andinterfaces with the Internet as a component of this library’s available information services.It takes another three-and-a-half years for the Web to be recognized in a position title, and

Table 1Number of ads used by year

1985—2 1994—191986—6 1995—281987—5 1996—241988—9 1997—181989—10 1998—301990—6 1999—311991—7 2000—461992—12 2001—361993—9

Table 2Number of ads used by type of library

Academic 248Public 20Medical 15Special 8Legal 5Non-N. America 2


in August 1996, we find an ad for a Campus Web Information Services Coordinator position.Advertised through the library, this position essentially functioned as a campus webmaster.

3.2. Position content

Each of the 298 position announcements used was analyzed to determine what duties/responsibilities were associated with the position, as well as what qualifications (bothrequired and preferred) one would need to hold the position. This led to the identification of74 skills and/or attributes for these positions. As much as possible, the terminology from theadvertisements was used, although some interpretation was applied to combine similarfactors. Each element was counted once if it was used to describe the duties associated withthe position, a qualification for the position, or both with a few exceptions. For example,reference/information services could be counted three different ways. Those ads mentioningreference/information services without any additional descriptors were counted under oneheading �reference/information services–unspecified�. Other ads made a point of clearlyindicating reference/information services in an electronic format, so those were countedunder another heading �reference/information services–electronic�. Finally, there were ahandful of ads that clearly indicated reference/information services based on more traditionalprint formats, and these were counted under a third heading �reference/information services–print�. This results, however, with a position that indicated reference/information services aspart of the job duties, and explicitly mentions prior experience with both print and electronicreference sources getting counted three times in the initial tally.

Of the 74 skills/attributes identified overall, 23 factors were mentioned 50 times or moreand become a more focused group for further analysis. Table 3 lists these 23 characteristicsby order of frequency, and one concern becomes readily apparent. Reference/informationservices was counted 351 times and there were only 298 ads used. As explained above, thefigure 351 includes positions that were counted multiple times. A second figure thateliminates this duplication is provided for reference/information services and the other fourcharacteristics where similar duplication occurred. While this second number slightly reor-ders the factors listed in Table 3, they all remain important characteristics to consider.

Looking at the ten most frequently cited skills/attributes, the Electronic Resources Li-brarian position appears to be a combination of a number of characteristics. Its base clearlyresides in the tradition of public services, with reference/information services comprising themost frequently cited factor. As implied in many of the position titles and explicitlymentioned in some of the ads, there is an emphasis on resources and services in electronicformats, but this is not to the exclusion of print sources.

The next most often cited attribute finds a “tie” between bibliographic instruction/teachingskills and communication skills, both mentioned in 220 position descriptions. The instructioncomponent coordinates quite well with the reference component mentioned above, as mostreference positions have instructional responsibilities as part of the job. There was, however,a difference with many of these positions designating an instructional component differentfrom the traditional bibliographic instruction (BI) function associated with many referencepositions. The primary focus for the instruction was for other library staff members ratherthan library customers. The expectation appears to be that the Electronic Resources Librarian


stays current with new sources and techniques, and then teaches his/her colleagues how toget the maximum benefit from those sources.

If there is any surprise about the number of times communication skills were mentioned,it should be that 78 job ads did NOT include some mention of them. Since both reference andinstruction are based on strong communication skills, these first three characteristics alldovetail rather well.

Collection development is identified as the fourth most cited aspect of the ElectronicResources Librarian position. Much like the reference function above, collection develop-ment was identified three ways: �collection development–unspecified (all relevant sourcesregardless of format)�; �collection development–electronic format�; and �collection devel-

Table 3Characteristics most cited in order of how often cited

Reference/Information Services 351 229*unspecified 190electronic 132print 29

Bibliographic Instruction/Training 220Communication Skills 220Collection Development 187 158*

unspecified 115electronic 62print 10

Computer applications 165Online Searching 141 128*

general 116system specific 25

Professional Experience 133 127*academic 87unspecified 34health sciences 10legal 1public 1

World Wide Web applications 121Manage/Coordinate Program 100Interpersonal Skills 96Inter/Intra Net applications 86Automated Library Systems 84 71*

general 51system specific 33

CD ROM applications 83Public Service/Customer orientation 83Work Cooperatively 78Networking applications 72Work with Diverse Clientele 69Supervise Employees 65Second Graduate Degree 57Professional Activity 56Subject-specific Background/Expertise 55Programming Languages 54Planning 50

* With overlap removed/each ad counted only one time.


opment–print format�. While it is not really possible to discern a rationale from the adver-tisements alone, some institutions felt a need to specifically identify electronic sources andformats, as well as print sources and formats, with both the reference and collectiondevelopment duties. The collection development function itself, like bibliographic instruc-tion, is often associated with public service oriented positions, so we have a reasonably“typical” progression of factors thus far.

The first “break” from the more traditional skills/attributes associated with referencepositions comes with the fifth most cited item in the job ads—computer applications. Thisis just one of a number of technology-related skills mentioned, so not included here are theother more specific skills (like online searching to be discussed next) identified as separateitems. Computer applications is an “umbrella” heading capturing a number of related itemsmentioned various ways in the ads. Some ads just used the term “computer applications”with no further explanation; others used terminology relating to “personal computers” againwith no further explanation; and still other ads mentioned troubleshooting hardware and/orsoftware problems, as well as the knowledge and use of certain operating systems and wordprocessing and spreadsheet software. This category represents the ever increasing frequencyand importance for those delivering public service functions to be familiar and comfortableusing technology to deliver their services.

The general use of technology identified above is reinforced by the sixth most-cited skillset—online searching skills. Most of the positions included in this study from the earlier partof the 1985–2001 time period were the “computerized reference/information services”positions that emphasized searching online databases provided by commercial vendors—such as Dialog and BRS. Online searching seems to be the acorn from which the ElectronicResources Librarian oak tree has grown. Prior to emphasizing information coming from theInternet (roughly since 1993) and from the Web (roughly from 1996), the term electronicinformation inferred using searching skills to find information online (via a direct connectionto Dialog for example) or on a CD-ROM. Online searching was counted two ways �onlinesearching–general� and �online searching–system specific�, where Dialog or BRS experiencewas specifically sought.

The next most cited attribute sought among these position announcements was previousprofessional experience. As the breakout of sub-categories in Table 3 illustrates, most ofthese were looking for experience in academic libraries, which makes sense considering thatis where the majority of these positions are found. Some ads were less concerned with thelocation of the experience, as represented by the “unspecified” group, with a scattering of adsseeking experience in either health science, law or public libraries.

The eighth most frequently mentioned skill was knowledge and use of the Web. Thisincluded both finding web-based information, as well as the creation and/or maintenance ofweb sites for a specific department, for the library as a whole, or for the entire organization.When you consider that web skills are a product of the latter third of the time period underconsideration and yet makes its way into the top ten out of 74 skills/attributes, web-basedknowledge and activities becomes a key area associated with the Electronic ResourcesLibrarian position.

Rounding out the top ten characteristics mentioned in the ads are managing/coordinatinga specific service or program and interpersonal skills. The managing/coordinating function is


indicative of the way many new services are introduced as a special feature offered by alibrary. As a result of this approach, someone is usually assigned managerial responsibilityfor the service or program. For the most part, this meant managing a particular service withinthe framework of a large department or unit of the library, although as the list of positiontitles reveals sometimes this person also served as the department head. While this factor ismentioned in ads throughout the earlier time period surveyed, it was more prevalent earlierin the period than later. It is most associated with online search services, especially where thesearch fees were charged back to the patron and someone needed to be responsible for thefinancial aspects of the service.

Interpersonal skills, much like communication skills above, have become something of astandard element of most job announcements, so its placement among the top ten charac-teristics should not be a surprise.

These ten most sought characteristics falling into one of three major categories: 1)traditional public service functions (reference, instruction, collection development), 2) tech-nology-related functions (computer applications, online searching, web applications), and 3)personal factors (communication skills, experience, management, interpersonal skills). As agroup, the public service functions were mentioned most often at 758 times (607 countingeach factor only once); the personal factors were mentioned second most often at 549 times(543 counting each factor only once); with the technology-related functions mentioned thirdmost often at 427 times (414 counting each factor only once).

Extending this grouping to the larger list of 23 factors most often mentioned, the threecategories of public service, technology, and personal attributes seems to cover everything,as illustrated in Table 4. While some may argue the placement of certain attributes in onecategory or the other, the results of this distribution are certainly interesting. Using the“unrefined” numbers, we find the public service functions and personal factors deadlockedat 910 for each, with technology factors cited 806 times in this sample of job ads. In otherwords, for a sample of jobs selected because they have a focus on technology as it relates toinformation delivery, both public services and personal attributes were mentioned more oftenthen the technology-related factors. Using the set of numbers that disregards sub-categoriesof factors and counts everything just once, the order does change somewhat, leaving us withpersonal attributes at 904, technology-related factors now at 780, and public service factorsnot that far behind at 759. The emphasis on technology plays a more important role in thissecond set of figures, as one might expect based on the kind of positions involved. However,either way you look at these numbers, personal attributes appear to be critical for thesepositions, and public service functions also comprise a vital part of what these jobs entail.Perhaps we all do not need to become technologists first and librarians second just yet.

4. Summary and conclusion

Stafford and Serban, writing in 1990, identified what they felt were the six basiccompetencies for working in the “automated reference environment.” These included: “(1)user/staff interfacing skills, (2) knowledge of traditional and automated reference sources, (3)data retrieval skills, (4) information technology skills, (5) instructional skills, and (6)


organizational skills” [3]. In 1991, another perspective identified four areas of concern: (a)reference skills, (b) communications skills, (c) supervision/management, and (d) computertechnology skills [4]. A more recent view in 1999 again puts the number of core compe-tencies at six: “reference skills and subject knowledge, communication and interpersonalabilities, technological skills and knowledge, analytic and critical thinking skills, supervisoryand management skills, and commitment to user services” [5].

Essentially, these lists are the same and coincide quite well with the characteristicsidentified from the job announcements used in the current study. Knowledge of publicservice functions and process, regardless of the environment, clearly is fundamental. If thechallenge of delivering “the right information to the right person at the right time” is notenough to get us going, then perhaps we are in the wrong field. Knowledge of the variety oftechnologies available to help us and which technology may be the most appropriate with anygiven customer has been an important aspect of our field for a very long time. The array ofavailable technologies, from the printed page to a digital representation of that printed page,only serves to increase the challenge of public service. Finally, a certain set of personalqualities, most notably communication skills, are necessary. Although specific qualities willvary in importance due to the environment in which we work, as well as the actual positionwe hold. Julia Kelly and Kathryn Robbins summarize well: “although the library landscapemay shift a great deal, librarians will still be in the business of negotiating with users andhelping them find what they need, The electronic environment may cause a shift in the toolslibrarians use and the speed in which they change” [6]. Does the Electronic ResourcesLibrarian position represent something new and revolutionary or does it represent the currentiteration along an evolutionary continuum of public service in libraries? While the datacollected for this study supports the latter view, only time will provide a more conclusiveanswer.

Table 4Major groupings of most cited characteristics

Public Service Attributes Personal Attributes Technology Attributes

ReferenceServices

BibliographicInstruction

CollectionDevelopment

CustomerOrientation

DiverseClientele

351

220

187

83

69

229*

158*

CommunicationSkills

ProfessionalExperience

Manage/CoordinateInterpersonal SkillsWork CooperativelySupervision2nd Graduate

DegreeProfessional

ActivitySubject BackgroundPlanning

220

133

10096786557

56

5550

127*

Computer applicationsOnline SearchingWWW applicationsInter/Intra NetAutomated Library

SystemsCD ROMsNetworkingProgramming

1651411218684

837254

128*

71*

Total: 910 759* Total: 910 904* Total: 806 780*

* With overlap removed/each ad counted only one time.


Appendix A

Position Titles Arranged in Chronological Order[all positions in North American academic libraries unless indicated otherwise]

March 1985 Computerized Reference Services/Access Services CoordinatorGeneral Reference Librarian/Computer Reference Services Coordinator

March 1986 Computerized Literature Search Services CoordinatorCoordinator–Computer-assisted Search ServicesReference/Database Searching LibrarianReference Librarian/Online Services Coordinator

December 1986 Associate Librarian II/Non-bibliographic Searching Project CoordinatorData & Information Services Librarian

February 1987 Database CoordinatorMarch 1987 Online Specialist [position in a National Library of Medicine regional library]

Reference Librarian/Coordinator–Information Online Search ServiceMay 1987 Computer Search/Reference librarian

Search AnalystJanuary 1988 Assistant Reference Librarian & Coordinator of Online Services

Reference: Assistant Head & Database CoordinatorApril 1988 Database Services librarian

Reference Librarian/Coordinator of Database SearchingSeptember 1988 Computer Reference Services Librarian

Coordinator–Computer-based Reference ServiceOctober 1988 Reference/Computer Systems LibrarianDecember 1988 Assistant Director for Information Services

Electronic Information Services LibrarianJanuary 1989 Computerized Reference Services LibrarianMarch 1989 Microcomputer Specialist/Reference LibrarianJuly/August 1989 Coordinator of Database Search Services [position in a public library]

Science Online Services Coordinator/Reference LibrarianSeptember 1989 Computer Search Coordinator/Reference Librarian

Coordinator–Computerized Information ServicesMedia/Microcomputer Services LibrarianScience Reference Librarian/Coordinator of Computer Services for the Sciences &

EngineeringNovember 1989 Head–Microcomputer ServicesDecember 1989 User Services LibrarianFebruary 1990 Natural Sciences Computer-based Services/Reference Librarian

Science Reference Librarian/Coordinator of Computer-assisted ReferenceMarch 1990 Reference/Computerized Information Retrieval LibrarianApril 1990 Coordinator of Computer-assisted Reference Services

Reference Librarian/Online Search CoordinatorJune 1990 Reference Librarian/Microcomputer Application CoordinatorFebruary 1991 Electronic Services & Information Literacy Librarian

Reference Librarian/Database Services CoordinatorMarch 1991 Coordinator–Computer-based Resources & Services ProgramMay 1991 Information Technologies Reference LibrarianJune 1991 Information Management Education/Database Services CoordinatorJuly/August 1991 Reference Librarian/Coordinator of Electronic ReferenceSeptember 1991 Program Coordinator–Electronic Library [position in a National Library of

Medicine regional library]January 1992 Information Services LibrarianFebruary 1992 Computerized Reference Services Librarian

Electronic Information Services LibrarianJune 1992 Computer Services/Reference Librarian



Database Services/Reference LibrarianReference Librarian–Electronic Services

July/August 1992 Database Services/Reference LibrarianHead–Electronic Data ServicesReference/Electronic Resources Librarian

September 1992 Database Librarian [position in a public library]October 1992 Government Publications Reference/Electronic Resources LibrarianDecember 1992 Electronic Information & Document Delivery Project CoordinatorJanuary 1993 Coordinator–Centers for Public Access to the Electronic Library

Reference & Internet Services LibrarianApril 1993 Reference/Electronic Access LibrarianMay 1993 Reference Librarian/Electronic ResourcesJune 1993 Public Services Electronic Resources LibrarianJuly/August 1993 Computer Services LibrarianSeptember 1993 Coordinator–Electronic Resources

Electronic Resources Librarian–Information Services UnitNovember 1993 Coordinator–Electronic Reference ServicesJanuary 1994 Coordinator–Electronic Reference Services

Network Information Resources LibrarianReference Librarian/Coordinator–Electronic Reference Service

February 1994 Assistant Director for Access Services, Collection Management & ElectronicResources

Information Access LibrarianReference Librarian–Instruction & Electronic Resources Focus

April 1994 Head–Electronic Information & Reference LibrarianJune 1994 Electronic Resources LibrarianJuly/August 1994 Electronic Resources Consultant [position in a public library]

Electronic Resources LibrarianSeptember 1994 Electronic Resources Librarian–Reference Department

Electronic Resources/Reference LibrarianSocial Science Electronic Information Coordinator/Social Work LibrarianTeam Leader–Electronic Library Services [position in a special library]

November 1994 Coordinator–Electronic Information ServicesElectronic Information & Multimedia Instruction LibrarianElectronic Resources Specialist

December 1994 Coordinator–Online Search ServicesHead–Reference/Electronic Services

January 1995 Electronic Information Services LibrarianElectronic Resources Librarian [position in a public library]Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian

February 1995 Business Administration Computer-Based Services LibrarianElectronic Information Services CoordinatorElectronic Resources Coordinator [position in a public library]

March 1995 Electronic Services LibrarianElectronic Services/Reference LibrarianElectronic Text LibrarianInstructional Librarian for Electronic InformationSocial Science Reference/Electronic Resource Librarian

April 1995 Information Services LibrarianReference/Electronic Access Librarian

May 1995 Reference Coordinator/Electronic Services LibrarianJune 1995 Business & Electronic Reference Librarian

Electronic Reference Librarian



Reference/Electronic Reference LibrarianSciences Technology & Electronic User Services Coordinator

July/August 1995 Reference Librarian/Electronic SpecialistSeptember 1995 Head–Electronic Information Services

Information Services LibrarianInformation Services/Reference Librarian

October 1995 Social Sciences/Electronic Reference Services LibrarianTeam Leader–Electronic Government Information Services [position in a special

library]November 1995 Electronic Information LibrarianDecember 1995 Engineering Library Computer-based Services Librarian

Information Services LibrarianInternet Trainer/Librarian [position in a special library]

January 1996 Electronic Services LibrarianElectronic Services Reference LibrarianReference/Electronic Resources Librarian

February 1996 Electronic Information Resources LibrarianElectronic Information Resources/Reference LibrarianInformation Services Librarian–Electronic Resources

March 1996 Electronic Resources/Head of Information ServicesElectronic Resources Librarian

April 1996 Computer Services/Reference LibrarianDigital Services LibrarianElectronic Information Services LibrarianElectronic Services/Physical Sciences LibrarianInformation Technology Coordinator [position in a National Library of Medicine

regional library]Reference Librarian/Electronic Services CoordinatorSerials/Electronic Resources Librarian

May 1996 Information Services LibrarianAugust 1996 Campus Web Information Services Coordinator

Reference/Electronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Services Librarian

October 1996 Electronic Information LibraryNovember 1996 Coordinator–Reference & Electronic Information ServicesDecember 1996 Business Reference/Electronic Services Librarian

Electronic Resources/Reference LibrarianJanuary 1997 Reference/Electronic Access LibrarianFebruary 1997 Digital Collections & Services LibrarianMarch 1997 Electronic Information Services Librarian

Electronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Resources/Reference Librarian

April 1997 Electronic Reference Services CoordinatorMay 1997 Electronic Resources/Reference Librarian

Electronic Resources Specialist [position in a public library]Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian [position in a public library]

June/July 1997 Electronic Resources Coordinator [position in a public library]August 1997 Electronic Projects Librarian

Electronic Resources Librarian [position in a special library]Electronic Services Librarian

September 1997 Reference/Electronic Services LibrarianReference/Electronic Services Librarian



October 1997 Information Technology Librarian [position in a public library]December 1997 Electronic Resources CoordinatorMarch 1998 Access/Electronic Services Librarian

Electronic Information Services Librarian [position in a public library]Electronic Services LibrarianInformation Literacy/Electronic Services LibrarianNetworked Information Services LibrarianWeb Site Content Specialist/Librarian [position in a special library]

April 1998 Assistant Reference/Electronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Services Librarian

May 1998 Digital Resources LibrarianElectronic Information/Reference LibrarianElectronic Reference Service/Web Development CoordinatorElectronic Resources Coordinator [position in a non-North American academic

library]Electronic Resources Librarian

June/July 1998 Assistant Director–Acquisitions/Coordinator–Electronic ResourcesElectronic Access CoordinatorElectronic Library Development Specialist [position in a special library]Librarian for Systems/Electronic ResourcesReference/Electronic Information Services Coordinator [position in a teaching

hospital library]August 1998 Reference/Electronic Services Librarian [position in a public library]

Reference Services/Electronic Resources LibrarianSeptember 1998 Electronic Resources/Systems Librarian

Electronic Services LibrarianOctober 1998 Electronic Services Librarian

Reference/Electronic Services LibrarianSocial Science Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian

November 1998 Digital Library Coordinator/Systems Librarian [position in a special library]Electronic Resources Reference LibrarianReference/Electronic Services Librarian

December 1998 Digital Resources LibrarianElectronic Services Librarian [position in a public library]

January 1999 Web Services LibrarianFebruary 1999 Electronic Access/Serials Librarian

Electronic Resources Librarian/Assistant Head–Systems DepartmentReference/Electronic Resources Librarian

March 1999 Web LibrarianApril 1999 Electronic Access/Serials Librarian

Electronic Resources LibrarianMay 1999 Biomedical Electronic Resources/Reference Librarian

Digital Library CoordinatorElectronic Initiatives/Circulation LibrarianElectronic Resources CoordinatorScience & Engineering Electronic Resources Librarian

June/July 1999 Digital Library Systems Coordinator [position in a public library]Electronic Information Services Librarian [position in a public library]Electronic Resources Librarian

August 1999 Electronic Resources LibrarianElectronics Reference LibrarianReference Librarian/Electronic Resources

September 1999 Distance Education Librarian–Electronic & Distance Education Program



Electronic Resources Librarian [position in a public library]Electronic Services LibrarianScience Reference Librarian/Computer Services Coordinator

October 1999 Electronic Services LibrarianWeb Development LibrarianWeb Resources/Reference Librarian

November 1999 Digital Library/Information Systems LibrarianElectronic Services Librarian

December 1999 Manager–Digital Library OperationsManager–Digital SupportManager–Electronic Text & Imaging Center

January 2000 Computer Services LibrarianElectronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Resources/Science LibrarianReference/Electronic Services Librarian

February 2000 Director–Digital LibraryElectronic Resources/Access LibrarianElectronic Resources Assistant [position in a public library]Web Applications Coordinator [position in a public library]

March 2000 Digital Services/Engineering LibrarianDirector–Digital Library ProgramDirector–Information Technology ServicesElectronic Services LibrarianWorld Wide Web Administrator

April 2000 Digital Services CoordinatorElectronic Public Access Services LibrarianPublic Services Librarian/Electronic ResourcesReference/Microcomputer Services LibrarianReference/On-line Service Librarian

May 2000 Reference/Electronic Resources LibrarianJune/July 2000 Assistant Librarian–Digital Library Initiatives Group

Digital Library DirectorElectronic Resources LibrarianGovernment Documents/Electronic Resources Librarian

August 2000 Digital Initiatives LibrarianReference/Digital Services LibrarianTeam Leader–Information Arcade

September 2000 Coordinator–Electronic Reference ServicesData/Electronic Services LibrarianElectronic Resources Librarian

October 2000 Assistant Librarian–Electronic OutreachData Services/Web Development Reference LibrarianDigital Document LibrarianNetwork Services LibrarianUniversity Web Manager [position in a non-North American academic library]Web Coordinator [position in a public library]

November 2000 Data LibrarianData Services LibrarianDigital Projects Librarian

December 2000 Associate Director–Systemwide Electronic Information ResourcesDigital Initiatives LibrarianDigital Librarian [position in a special library]Electronic Services/Document Delivery/Reference Librarian



Reference/Electronic Resources LibrarianSystems/Electronic Resources Librarian

January 2001 Associate University Librarian–Digital Library SystemsDigital LibrarianDigital Technologies LibrarianNetworked Electronic Resources LibrarianScience Electronic Resources SpecialistSocial Sciences/Electronic Resources Librarian

February 2001 Digital Resources/Serials LibrarianElectronic Resources/Serials LibrarianMedia Services/Web LibrarianReference/Web Librarian

March 2001 Acquisitions/Electronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Resources LibrarianElectronic Resources Librarian

April 2001 Digital initiatives LibrarianE-Resources/Government Documents LibrarianHead–Technical Services/Digital AccessScience Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian

May 2001 Electronic Resources/Serials Acquisitions LibrarianElectronic Services LibrarianLibrarian–Web Services/Reference

June/July 2001 Web Coordinator/Reference LibrarianAugust 2001 Electronic Resources Librarian [position in a public library]

Head–Serials/Electronic Acquisitions Services DepartmentHumanities Digital Initiatives LibrarianInformation Services LibrarianReference/Digital Services LibrarianSciences Digital Initiatives LibrarianWeb Services/Reference Librarian

September 2001 Data Reference LibrarianElectronic Services/Systems LibrarianSenior Systems Integrator/Web Applications Developer

October 2001 Electronic Information Resources Librarian [position in a law library]Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian [position in a public library]

December 2001 Electronic Services/Reference LibrarianWeb Services Librarian

References

[1] Prentice, A. E. (1990). Jobs and change in the technological age. Journal of Library Administration, 13 (1/2),47–57.

[2] Stafford, C. D., & Serban, W. M. (1990). Core competencies: recruiting, training, and evaluating in theautomated reference environment. Journal of Library Administration, 13 (1/2), 81–97.

[3] Ibid., 87.[4] Massey-Burizo, V. (1991). Education and experience: or, the MLS is not enough. RSR: Reference Service

Review, 19 (Spring), 72–73.[5] Nofsinger, M. M. (1999). Training and retraining reference professionals: core competencies for the 21st

century. Reference Librarian, 10.[6] Kelly, J., & Robbins, K. (1996). Changing roles for reference librarians. Journal of Library Administration,

22 (2/3), 120.
