What does an electronic resources librarian do?
As technology becomes widespread nowadays, schools also enhance their services by using electronics in libraries. Thus, they need an electronic resource librarian who acquired enough knowledge to carry on the responsibility. They are to use electronics to provide students with book catalogs and digital copies of books while also monitoring for orders and the return of books. They also must ensure that every book donated is appropriately licensed. Any alterations of the digital operating system used, the electronic librarian can troubleshoot and report it to the administration.
Electronic resources librarian responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real electronic resources librarian resumes:
- Manage integrated library system including OPAC, serials control, cataloging and acquisitions.
- Implement EZProxy and an OpenURL link resolver to improve access for state employees.
- Upload e-journal MARC records in ILS system.
- Coordinate the cataloging of electronic/digital materials with MARC records.
- Utilize electronic resources to create reports and spreadsheets from research and statistical information.
- Provide interlibrary loan service through OCLC.
- Select all juvenile materials and adult fiction.
- Teach introductory classes in the Internet, database searching, social networking, and legal research to students and the public.
- Perform original cataloging and classification of materials.
- Provide preliminary bibliographic control for serial titles including creating and editing descriptive MARC records.
- Provide client services such as inter-library loans, ordering of new materials and instruction on use of library OPAC.
Electronic resources librarian skills and personality traits
We calculated that 21% of Electronic Resources Librarians are proficient in Electronic Resources, Library Services, and Collection Development. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Electronic Resources Librarians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Electronic Resources, 21%
Researched, identified, analyzed, evaluated and recommended electronic resources, database-related services or software for the library.
- Library Services, 10%
Provided instruction about basic library services to freshmen university students.
- Collection Development, 9%
Supervised e-resources usage data collection and generated reports for collection development analysis, involved in Periodicals Evaluation and Cancellation project.
- Management System, 6%
Provided one-on-one training sessions to faculty on the Blackboard learning management system.
- Library System, 6%
Developed and provided reports from various library systems, including the Aleph integrated library system and PeopleSoft.
- Library Resources, 5%
Provide orientation, training, and evaluative feedback to hourly and student personnel to promote effective use of library resources.
Common skills that an electronic resources librarian uses to do their job include "electronic resources," "library services," and "collection development." You can find details on the most important electronic resources librarian responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for an electronic resources librarian to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what electronic resources librarians do because "librarians need to be able to explain ideas and information in ways that patrons understand." Additionally, an electronic resources librarian resume shows how electronic resources librarians use communication skills: "revolutionized library services, communications and user access through automation. "
Initiative. Many electronic resources librarian duties rely on initiative. "new information, technology, and resources constantly change the details of what librarians do," so an electronic resources librarian will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways electronic resources librarian responsibilities rely on initiative: "supported a wide range of strategic initiatives in the areas of business/client intelligence, client development and marketing research. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of electronic resources librarians is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday electronic resources librarian duties, as "librarians must be able to work both as part of a team and with the public or with researchers." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "leveraged superior interpersonal skill to provide reference services to up to 50 clients each day. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what electronic resources librarians do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to electronic resources librarian responsibilities because "librarians conduct and assist with research." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical electronic resources librarian tasks: "manage and facilitate serials solutions a-z ejournals, openurl, summon discovery service. "
Reading skills. A commonly-found skill in electronic resources librarian job descriptions, "reading skills" is essential to what electronic resources librarians do. Electronic resources librarian responsibilities rely on this skill because "librarians must be excellent readers." You can also see how electronic resources librarian duties rely on reading skills in this resume example: "lead the classroom by following the district's curriculum in reading, math, social studies, science etc. "
Technology skills. Another skill commonly found on electronic resources librarian job descriptions is "technology skills." It can come up quite often in electronic resources librarian duties, since "librarians use technology to help patrons research topics." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day electronic resources librarian responsibilities: "served on tech connects library technology instruction team consisting of staff across the library system. "
The three companies that hire the most electronic resources librarians are:
- Raytheon Technologies2 electronic resources librarians jobs
- Novant Health2 electronic resources librarians jobs
- University of Pennsylvania2 electronic resources librarians jobs
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Compare different electronic resources librarians
Electronic resources librarian vs. Cataloger
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between electronic resources librarians and cataloger. For instance, electronic resources librarian responsibilities require skills such as "library services," "management system," "usage statistics," and "library resources." Whereas a cataloger is skilled in "library catalog," "rda," "online database," and "lcsh." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Catalogers tend to make the most money working in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,571. In contrast, electronic resources librarians make the biggest average salary, $62,995, in the professional industry.The education levels that catalogers earn slightly differ from electronic resources librarians. In particular, catalogers are 3.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an electronic resources librarian. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electronic resources librarian vs. Circulation director
Each career also uses different skills, according to real electronic resources librarian resumes. While electronic resources librarian responsibilities can utilize skills like "electronic resources," "library services," "collection development," and "management system," circulation directors use skills like "audience development," "newspapers," "independent contractors," and "expense budget."
Circulation directors earn lower levels of education than electronic resources librarians in general. They're 16.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electronic resources librarian vs. Library supervisor
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, electronic resources librarians are more likely to have skills like "management system," "usage statistics," "ezproxy," and "ils." But a library supervisor is more likely to have skills like "library patrons," "library operations," "library policies," and "student assistants."
Library supervisors typically earn lower educational levels compared to electronic resources librarians. Specifically, they're 10.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Electronic resources librarian vs. Library director
Even though a few skill sets overlap between electronic resources librarians and library directors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an electronic resources librarian might have more use for skills like "management system," "usage statistics," "ezproxy," and "license agreements." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of library directors require skills like "professional development," "library operations," "academic library," and "strategic plan. "
The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for library directors, with average annual pay of $53,860. Comparatively, the highest electronic resources librarian annual salary comes from the professional industry.In general, library directors hold similar degree levels compared to electronic resources librarians. Library directors are 4.7% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of electronic resources librarian
Updated January 8, 2025
