They have a good relationship but it does take more time. Even internally at UW we are sometimes not sure about our own liaison assignments. There is less need for that now because of the TUG Data Resources service. Reference is different from Consultation. The special or discipline knowledge of liaison librarians the special knowledge is not so important in a reference context.
Reference wastes valuable time.
Reference is a valuable way to get feedback re the collections, re how they are used. It is very rewarding and useful to provide individual liaison to students. This also provides good feedback re Collections, especially re Fine Arts, Film, Architecture. Some would value more desk time and more discussion with liaison colleagues, but such communication and research takes time, which is in shrinking supply. Many things can t be delegated.