Should academic libraries have popular reading collections? What is the value of having one? What should the collection include? How are libraries incorporating new technologies and formats? This presentation and discussion will focus on a variety of issues and challenges associated with popular reading collections: acquiring, maintaining, funding and promoting the collection. The discussion will provide an opportunity for librarians to share their experiences and ideas, and allow others considering starting a collection to ask questions. The discussion leaders will describe the collection at the University of Washington Libraries—how it was started, who’s using it, and how materials are selected and weeded.
