Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Forget The Desk Job : Current Roles And Responsibilities In Entry-Level Reference Job Advertisements., Robert Detmering, Claudene Sproles

Faculty Scholarship

This study examines the evolving roles and responsibilities of entry-level academic reference positions, as stated in recent job advertisements posted on the American Library Association’s JobLIST Web site and other sources. Findings from a content analysis of these advertisements indicate that current entry-level reference positions in academic libraries incorporate a strikingly diverse and complex range of responsibilities. The study provides valuable insight into the expectations and priorities of hiring institutions in regard to entry-level reference work, offering a broad perspective on the reference job environment to library science students, first-time job seekers, and libraries seeking to recruit entrylevel candidates.