Application of the still-evolving Dublin Core metatag system is a skill that did not exist just a few years ago but is now rapidly growing in importance as an additional role for librarians. In addition to acquiring and processing resources in a variety of new formats, libraries are increasingly involved in the creation of resources. Reference librarians have recently been experiencing double jeopardy. Grodzins-Lipow believes that reference departments may be experiencing the greatest variety of new roles. The ubiquitous web site has become a standard tool for many libraries, and its use has created several roles for librarians that do not have direct corollaries in the past.
Many libraries now use their web site as the exclusive platform for electronic patron service.
Once created, a continuing commitment of staff time is needed to maintain, modify and update the web site. Links come and go, URLs change, and the mix of resources served through the web site is often in flux. Automation can carry some of the load, and some tasks can be done by technicians, but in many libraries the bulk of web site development and maintenance falls to librarians. Thus, libraries are faced with the need to effectively apply limited staff resources to meet the growing number of technology-driven challenges. Rethinking existing staffing patterns and assignments, recruiting new staff to change the mix of skill sets and the use of creative supervision can help libraries to develop solutions that solve current problems but are flexible enough to accommodate future changes.