The Reference Department at William R. Perkins Library offers research guidance and consultations, tours of the library, and instruction to students and patrons of the library. The collection contains records related to the Perkins Library Reference Department including annual reports, statistics, meeting minutes, materials related to renovation projects at Perkins, departmental policies, Duke Summer Reading Program, and records of the Librarians Assembly.
The Perkins Library Suggestion/Answer book was a loose-leaf binder set up in the lobby of Perkins Library from 1982 until about 2006 in which people could write comments, suggestions, or questions, which were answered in the book by the Answer Person, a librarian. The collection consists of the original pages of the Perkins Library Suggestion/Answer book ranging from 1982 to approximately 2006. These pages have handwritten questions and typed responses as well as some items or materials attached to the original pages.