The Reference Desk is Gone

Jeff  Trzeciak writes:

http://ulatmac.blog.lib.mcmaster.ca/2010/07/15/reference-desk-gone/

After much planning and hard work the last of our reference desks is gone! Our library has completed the transition to “blended services” where library assistants handle most of the transactions at combined service points (circulation, interlibrary loan, research help). Our business library was the first to go in this direction around one year ago followed by our science/engineering library. Finally, I came in this morning to find that the last of our reference desks is now gone!

Between 2009-2010 our Research Help Desk answered 21771 questions. As with many ARL libraries this number is down substantially. In 2005/2006 the desks answered 40934 questions and the number has declined steadily since. Now our users will have the convenience of a single service point and librarians will have their time freed up for interactions with faculty in their labs, offices and classrooms.

Congratulations to everyone who made the transition and thank you to those who supported it!

The bold is mine – this plan for service beyond the walls of the library is an important step toward ubiquitous library service on the campus – and beyond!