At a time when reference services are generally seen as a central function of college libraries, the activities of college reference librarians may indicate otherwise. This study examines reference services in four similar sized college libraries within a greater metropolitan area. Profiles of each library and reference department are developed. Interviews and data collection instruments were used to discover what tasks librarians providing reference services performed and the amount of time devoted to them. Interview data provides a look at some of the issues involved with sharing reference responsibilities among all librarians.