The Electronic Library Assistant is directly responsible for providing technical support to library patrons and for providing back-up support to librarians at the Reference Services Desk in the Library. Employees in this position are expected to have a working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, the latest versions of the most popular Web browsers, and the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and be able to troubleshoot minor hardware problems on the library's public LAN. Although not a prerequisite for the position, the Electronic Library Assistant should also expect to be able to field questions regarding how to find articles in the library's databases, how to find books in the library's print collections, and how to search for information using the Internet. An ELA should also be able to discern when to answer a question directly and when to refer it to one of the reference librarians on duty.

Since the library is open a number of hours after reference staff leave, ELAs may often be expected to provide support to library patrons in the absence of reference staff. Later evening responsibilities will also include maintaining a watch over the library's very expensive computer equipment and doing routine maintenance on the equipment to ensure its reliable functioning (this can include cleaning mice, cleaning keyboards, and cleaning monitor screens).

In the event of overflow crowds in the library's second floor LAN, ELAs might be called upon to open the library's instruction room for use by the library's patrons and to maintain security over the area while it is open.