Reference service in libraries like mine: A comparison of current reference service in libraries serving medium, small, and very small institutions

Abstract

Library decision makers rely on data from relevant comparator libraries to inform their choices regarding resource allocation and models for library services. It is valuable to see the decisions that other libraries of similar size and type have made. Unfortunately, libraries serving small and very small institutions are not represented in the literature on reference service models. Libraries serving medium-sized institutions are represented in a few studies, but even so medium libraries will find it challenging to identify focused comparator descriptions. This study presents comparator data for reference service in libraries serving medium, small, and very small institutions in order to address the lack of representation of small and very small libraries in the reference service literature and equip libraries of all of these size categories with more specifically focused comparator groups than are available elsewhere. In order to provide a more comprehensive answer to the question “how are libraries like mine providing reference service?” this study's data is presented in a variety of ways including a composite description of all respondents' data and focused reports of respondents' data grouped in subsets according to institution FTE enrollment, librarian headcount, combined librarian and paraprofessional headcount, and the highest degree offered by the institution served by the library. This variety of presentations allows libraries to collect a more complete description of how reference service is being provided in libraries like theirs.