Librarians may need to be experienced in finding information on older technologies, such as microfilm.
A reference librarian provides assistance to library users who need help locating resources and information. This job requires excellent customer service skills, as well as familiarity with surveys and the ability to answer challenging questions from customers who may be looking for obscure and unusual things. Reference librarians must have a master’s degree in library science (MLS) and may have additional certifications and qualifications depending on where they work.
Reference librarians maintain archival texts.
The center of the reference librarian’s workplace is the reference desk, an area where the public can go for information and assistance. The reference table has features like computers and catalog connections, along with references that the team uses frequently, like area maps, dictionaries, etc. People can ask the librarian for help in finding information, guidance from the library in learning to use resources, and other help.
Reference librarians have easy access to dictionaries and other reference books.
Many reference librarians teach classes for the public, showing them how to use library resources and giving them some basic research tips and tricks. On college campuses, the librarian can be very active during orientation week, working with students to help them become familiar with the library. Librarians also provide assistance with the use of technical resources, such as microfilm machines, photocopiers, etc., and can troubleshoot Internet access issues in the library and other issues users face.
Reference librarians typically teach students and members of the public how to use research materials effectively.
A reference librarian may also play a role in the development of the library’s collections. Librarians need a good understanding of the library’s holdings in order to help people most effectively, and they often identify weaknesses and gaps in the collection as part of their job. They can make recommendations for new acquisitions and will work with the collection manager to determine what types of resources would be most useful to library patrons. This may include books, movies, tapes, sheet music, and other purchases.
Working as a reference librarian requires excellent communication skills. Patrons may have vague and unfocused requests that the reference librarian needs to be able to accurately interpret. Librarians often want to show patrons how to help themselves, in addition to providing information, so that patrons feel more secure in the library, and this requires learning about different communication styles in order to connect effectively with patrons. A useful skill for people in this position is “reference interviewing,” in which the librarian asks a series of questions to find out what a patron needs and selects the most appropriate and helpful resources.