Abstract
The goal of this research is to understand what impact, if any, the usage of the academic library reference desk has on undergraduate scholastic performance. Part of the motivation for this study is the dramatic drop in reference desk usage in most academic libraries over the past ten years. If the use of the reference desk does not improve scholarly performance of undergraduates, it is important to understand how reference librarians might better advance undergraduate scholarship. This study will therefore explore the reasons why undergraduates do not use the reference desk and what new services or facilities within the library they view as important. The results of this study have important implications not only for undergraduate study but also for the profession of academic librarianship.