Current trends in librarianship in higher education have indicated an increasing tutoring role for librarians in the online environment. This article examines how the role of the e-tutor is outlined in selected online learning literature before progressing to examine the implications for librarians of fulfilling the demanding e-tutoring role by drawing upon the authors' own experiences of online education and training courses in UK universities. In conclusion it outlines the authors' increased awareness of the distinct nature of e-tutoring and discusses the key learning outcomes for future e-tutoring activity by librarians. (Contains 3 tables.)