Blending the Trends: A Holistic Approach to Reference Services

Abstract

The growing trends of tiered reference, roving librarians, and virtual reference offer academic libraries several options for providing the most effective reference service. Increased enrollment at community colleges has prompted a reconsideration of how librarians can balance reference, teaching, and faculty responsibilities. This article presents a case study of the Evelyn S. Field Library's implementation of a holistic reference format, blending the referral system of tiered reference with the roving librarian concept to remove full-time faculty librarians from the traditional reference desk, increase the amount of time chat reference can be offered, and create a more effective environment for in-depth reference and research assistance.