Desk Bound No More: Reference Services at a New Research University Library

Abstract

The authors discuss a newly established academic library at the University of California, Merced, as a model for reference service that foregoes a desk staffed with reference librarians. The library provides innovative, quality reference services for its users by using well-trained staff at a library services desk and employing new technologies for asynchronous communication and instruction.

KEYWORDS:

• reference
• professionalism
• questions
• service
• academic library
• student assistants