In the summer of 2009, the library reference desk was moved to a new location near the front door at the top of the stairs to Olin Library. We expected this more prominent location would increase the number of interactions with librarians.  After seven weeks, we can report on the effects.

Comparing the first seven weeks of the 2009 semester (August 31 to October 18) to the same period in 2008 (August 28 to October 15), overall activity at the Reference desk has increased by 164%. More importantly,  the category “basic reference questions" had the largest increase in number of questions, and the largest percentage increases were in advanced reference questions and questions requiring a referral to another librarian or person at LBIS.  We had some concerns that moving the desk might lead only to non-research related questions (i.e. "where is the bathroom?"), but we are pleased to report that those categories have not grown as quickly as use of professional reference services.