Open AccessChanging the Venues but Not Changing Our Tune: Service Model Transition at a Music and Performing Arts Library
Author(s) -
Kate Lambaria,
Kirstin Dougan Johnson
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
reference and user services quarterly/reference and user services quarterly
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.443
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 2163-5242
pISSN - 1094-9054
DOI - 10.5860/rusq.59.1.7223
Subject(s) - service (business) , the arts , circulation (fluid dynamics) , point (geometry) , database transaction , transition (genetics) , computer science , business , database , visual arts , marketing , engineering , mathematics , art , chemistry , geometry , gene , aerospace engineering , biochemistry
The goal of this quantitative study is to explore the effect of consolidating circulation and reference functions at a single service point in a specialized setting, namely, a large academic music and performing arts library. It analyzes reference transactions before and after the merging of reference and circulation service points. Transaction trends are evaluated based on location within the library, type of question, and question complexity. The authors find that there are significant impacts on reference staff time due to consolidating desks, but the closer proximity led to an increase in activity and allows for referrals that are more successful.