Integrating a Central Reference Service in an International Studies Program

International studies’ programs have existed in this nation’s universities since the 1930s, but their significance was not fully appreciated until the end of the second World War. ¹ Realizing the need for a greater understanding of the world we inhabit, foundations and the federal government infused money to initiate area studies in the country’s centers of higher education. But along with these area studies programs, as Frederick Wagman has noted, come organizational questions concerning where they belonged in the library hierarchy. ² Unable to find a suitable home in any of the traditional library departments (public and technical services), these collections together with their staff come to be considered semi-autonomous, separate units within the organizational structure. The unique characteristics of these units, e.g., special language skills, cataloging and acquisition procedures, and a highly specialized clientele within the university community have been the major contributors to creating this separate status within the library structure. ³