Will “Reference Assistant” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

99% Chance of Automation

“Reference Assistant” will certainly be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #692 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

Care to share? Click for Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or XING. 👍

Job Description

Assist librarians by helping readers in the use of library catalogs, databases, and indexes to locate books and other materials; and by answering questions that require only brief consultation of standard reference. Compile records; sort and shelve books or other media; remove or repair damaged books or other media; register patrons; and check materials in and out of the circulation process. Replace materials in shelving area (stacks) or files. Includes bookmobile drivers who assist with providing services in mobile libraries.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 25-4031.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 34,780.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 16.00
Currently, there are 93,410 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Library Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Reference Assistant”

Compile and maintain records relating to circulation, materials, and equipment.
Organize and maintain periodicals and reference materials.
Maintain and troubleshoot problems with library equipment, including computers, photocopiers, and audio-visual equipment.
Plan and conduct children's programs, community outreach programs, and other specialized programs, such as library tours.
Help patrons find and use library resources, such as reference materials, audio-visual equipment, computers, and other electronic resources and provide technical assistance when needed.
Prepare volumes for binding.
Train other staff, volunteers, or student assistants and schedule and supervise their work.
Compile data and create statistical reports on library usage.
Send out notices about lost or overdue books.
Take actions to halt disruption of library activities by problem patrons.
Issue identification cards to borrowers.
Deliver and retrieve items throughout the library by hand or using pushcart.
Enter and update patrons' records on computers.
Verify bibliographical data for materials, including author, title, publisher, publication date, and edition.
Operate and maintain audio-visual equipment, such as projectors, tape recorders, and videocassette recorders.
Reserve, circulate, renew, and discharge books and other materials.
Compile bibliographies and prepare abstracts on subjects of interest to particular organizations or groups.
Compose explanatory summaries of contents of books and other reference materials.
Process print and non-print library materials to prepare them for inclusion in library collections.
Order all print and non-print library materials, checking prices, figuring costs, preparing order slips, and making payments.
Conduct reference searches, using printed materials and in-house and online databases.
Catalogue and sort books and other print and non-print materials according to procedure and return them to shelves, files, or other designated storage areas.
Design posters and special displays to promote use of library facilities or specific reading programs at libraries.
Retrieve information from central databases for storage in a library's computer.
Provide assistance to teachers and students by locating materials and helping to complete special projects.
Collaborate with archivists to arrange for the safe storage of historical records and documents.
Design, customize, and maintain databases, web pages, and local area networks.
Answer routine telephone or in-person reference inquiries, referring patrons to librarians for further assistance, when necessary.
Review subject matter of materials to be classified and select classification numbers and headings according to classification systems.
Check for damaged library materials, such as books or audio-visual equipment, and provide replacements or make repairs.
Process interlibrary loans for patrons.
File catalog cards according to system used.
Collect fines and respond to complaints about fines.
Claim missing issues of periodicals and journals.

Related Technology & Tools

Film projectors
Bookmobiles
Cash registers
Scanners
Multi-line telephone systems
Barcode scanners
Microfiche readers
Microfilm readers
Video cassette recorders VCR
Laptop computers
Personal computers
Desktop computers
Microfilm printers
Photocopying equipment
Digital video disk DVD players

Microsoft Office
SirsiDynix Symphony
Online Computer Library Center OCLC
WebClarity Software BookWhere
Ex Libris Group Aleph
HandyFile Find and Replace Text Aid Kit
Dynix Digital Library
Email software
Inmagic TextWorks
Microsoft Word
National Library of Medicine DOCLINE
Microsoft Access
Web browser software
Microsoft Excel
Innovative Interfaces Millennium
Ex Libris Group Voyager
Microsoft Publisher
Database software
Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
National Library of Medicine Medline
WorldCat
Adobe Systems Adobe Dreamweaver
Microsoft PowerPoint
FileMaker Pro