Size Matters: The Debate Over Reference Desk Height

This article summarizes the debate concerning use of desks versus counters in reference areas of academic libraries. Librarians argued whether patrons were more likely to approach a standing or a sitting librarian. In general, patrons preferred approaching a standing librarian (or one seeming to stand because sitting on a stool at a counter); however, only small studies were conducted. In practice, libraries are designed in almost equal number with one or a combination of both. This debate over the height of reference desks informed the broader debate concerning reference service models.