Pop-Up Library at the University of Birmingham: Extending the Reach of an Academic Library by Taking “The Library” to the Students

ABSTRACT

Aligning with student engagement and promotional strategies, a Pop-Up Library project was initiated at the University of Birmingham. This involved setting up temporary, staffed stalls in different locations across campus in order to informally communicate with students and effectively take “the Library” to them. This article discusses the planning and implementation of the Pop-Up Library, including the rationale for the initiative. Details are given of the stalls themselves, the wide range of staff involved, the many locations trialed, the promotional materials used, and the ways in which the venture was advertised and subsequently evaluated. Results of a questionnaire used on the stalls are presented. Conclusions are drawn as to the effectiveness of the Pop-Up Library as a communication tool, with particular emphasis on breaking down barriers between students and library staff, and proactively raising students' awareness of the many ways Library Services can enhance their learning.

keywords:

• Pop-Up Library
• academic library
• engagement
• promotion
• roving

Acknowledgments

The Pop-Up Library Team (of which the authors were part) would like to thank the many Library Services staff members who made the Pop-Up Library a success, including those who ran the stalls and the Facilities team who helped transport equipment across campus.

Funding

Thanks go to the Alumni Impact Fund for the grant that allowed us to implement this initiative, and to the publishers and suppliers who sent freebies and promotional materials.