The Inglewood, California Public Library provides a paraprofessional information service to assist its patrons in their initial encounters with the library. Persons staffing the information desk are specially trained to answer the telephone, orient patrons to the library, screen information requests, and provide ready reference service. These reference assistants are classified as senior library clerks and serve under the reference division. A desk collection of ready reference materials is maintained for their use. They are also expected to be familiar with all other tools used frequently by the public. The use of information assistants is seen to be consistent with the general library goal of giving equal attention to all public information needs. This work is intended as a manual for library reference assistants and as an informative study for library planners. (PF)