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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.

where she teaches Music Librarianship. The author would like to thank Sarah Adams (former head of the U.S. RISM office) and Jennifer Ward (RISM Central Office) for their invaluable input on early drafts and for answering many questions. She would also like to thank JinKyung Lee, Thornton Miller, and Wendy Wong, graduate students who searched for and compared records during the inventory process. 1. For more discussion of the historic development of academic music library collections, see Mary Wallace

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