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The author of this article is an automation librarian, but at times he also works at the reference desk, as well as teaching library instruction and literacy classes. Working at the reference desk, he learns how users handle their library's information technology. This article explores the conclusions that the author has reached regarding the issues of how users handle their library information technology and what librarians are doing to present their electronic resources to the users. According to the author, today's electronic resources have evolved from indexes that mimicked their print equivalents to whole new forms of information that were never available before. So, they need a new plan to present these new resources. He realized that many researchers are not aware of the variety and types of electronic resources that are now available. Therefore, the role of informing searchers and leading them to the various types of resources was and remains the role of the reference librarian. The author also presents a number of suggestions on how to improve access and awareness. The first method is categorizing by the type of resource, such as books, journal articles, reference sources, and occasionally, electronic books. The second method is presenting materials based on the general subject that a resource fits into. Looking toward the future, Digby believes that a library software holds exciting opportunities to the searchers.

In large public and university libraries, the installation of computers, working on networks, supervising staff and public workstations, working on library Web pages and maintaining the library's integrated system are among the various tasks that are the responsibility of an automation/computer librarian. In larger university and public libraries, these duties are delegated to the various staff members of the library's information technology (IT) department. However, many small libraries cannot afford the luxury of this type of large multi-staffed library IT department and many small libraries only have one full-time IT professional, with the help of possibly a student or part-time staff member. The solution to this problem developed by the one-person library automation department at Wisconsin University at River Falls (WURF), is reported. Illustrates the collaborative approach to computer resource management between WURF Chalmers Library, the campus ITS department and the system vendor. Focuses on the benefits that were obtained with this arrangement. (The author may be contacted by electronic mail at [mailto:todd.digby@uwrf.edu]).