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Unit 3: Reference Librarian

Assess suitability of titles prior to acquisition. They read all available title reviews Notes
and discuss proposed title additions with their managers. Librarians in colleges and
universities seek expert opinions from academic department professors. They consider
possible users’ reactions and potential repercussions when recommending
controversial titles.

4. Job Task Planning and Organizing
Own job planning and organizing: Librarians organize their own job tasks under the
general supervision of library managers. They respond to library users’ requests
and queries and this interaction disrupts the completion of regular duties and other
tasks assigned by their managers. As a result, they must frequently reorganize their
schedules. In larger libraries, they may rotate positions to cover various service
areas.

Planning and organizing for others: Librarians plan work schedules and assign tasks to
library assistants, technicians, clerks and volunteers.
5. Significant Use of Memory
remember titles, authors and locations of materials within collections.

remember user names, passwords and procedures for accessing computer systems
and commonly used databases.
6. Finding Information
Locate resources in response to users’ requests. They conduct searches of databases,
library catalogues and web sites. They read title descriptions, journal abstracts,
published reviews and consult colleagues.
Find background information on a variety of topics when writing articles for
publication and preparing presentations. They search databases and catalogues,
read journal articles and scan bibliographies. They consult co-workers, colleagues
and managers.
G. Working with Others
Librarians work independently, staffing various circulation and reference desks, researching
specific topics, cataloguing new acquisitions and instructing computer orientation classes. They
coordinate job tasks with technicians, assistants and volunteers.
H. Computer Use
Use graphics software.

Example: They use presentation software such as PowerPoint to create slide shows for
computer classes and orientation sessions.

Use communications software.

Example: They exchange e-mail with managers, colleagues and co-workers. They
frequently attach documents and add links to articles and web sites and use instant messaging
software to chat online with library users.
Use spreadsheets.

Example: They enter cataloguing, indexing, program attendance data and volunteer
hours into spreadsheets for tracking purposes. They record expenditures against their
departments’ budgets including costs for programs and special events.

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