This may open up local editing work for those networked to universities and scientists. However it has never been easier to get work one in the academic library environment. Typically a library user comes in looking for a precise answer, a small amount of information on a topic, or a review of information on a topic. As before the Web, one chooses the approach and tools depending on the need. The Web is the librarian's friend, we use it constantly as a tool for accessing our information resources, and people seem to be better able to utilize library information resources when presented to them with a Web interface.
Many academic libraries maintain links to reference shelf resources on the Web.
Excite, HotBot, AltaVista, and Northern Light are my favorites due to the number of Web pages they index. Web directories are useful and I usually start with Yahoo. UCSD library or UC systemwide has site-licensed access to many abstracting and indexing databases and several have links to full text. The variety is surprising and shouldn't be overlooked if you need to research something further. Make their money on document delivery.