Reimagining the Layout of Reference Desk and Reference Collections: This student project is an expanded discussion post on the topic of Reference Desk layouts and Reference Collections. Four major university libraries were queried about reference desk placement, configuration, and signage, print vs. digital reference collections, the collection of reference services statistics, and reference material diversity. Five standardized questions were asked. Two university libraries from the United States, one from Canada, and one from the Netherlands participated. Findings supported consistency in desired reference desk placement and signage, as well as a trend toward less reliance on print reference materials. Inconsistency was discovered in how these libraries record reference statistics. Support for student diversity in reference materials was found to be normative.

Aaron Tassin is a student in the Master of Library and Information Science program at San José State University. He considers himself a lifelong learner, returning to academic studies some thirty years after his undergraduate work. Aaron is a professional genealogist and is interested in archival and original manuscripts. He lives with his wife and daughters in the Sierra Nevada foothills of Northern California.

Photo credit: Serge Melki, CC By 2.0