Tacoma Moves Reference to Main.

PUBLIC library reference services; EMPLOYEE relocation; LIBRARY reference services; TRAINING of library employees; TACOMA Public Library (Tacoma, Wash.); FINANCING of public libraries

The article discusses the Tacoma Public Library in Tacoma, Washington and its controversial decision to move reference services from its nine branches to its one main library. The reference department would serve branches by phone, computer, and videoconferencing. The reference staffers being relocated are paraprofessionals and require more training. Issues of library finance are discussed.