“You have my sword.” “You have my bow.” “And my axe.”: Creating a popular reading collection through interdepartmental collaboration

Abstract

In Spring 2021, the Georgia Tech Library received unexpectedly robust support for the redevelopment of the Library’s previously removed Popular Reading Collection. The project had a strict four-month deadline to encumber funds and to ensure that materials were available before the Fall 2021 return to campus. A cross-functional team was established to create and implement a plan to achieve this goal. The successful project resulted in widespread positive feedback from students, Institute partners and leaders, and Library leadership. This case study demonstrates the importance of context in deciding library projects, the utility of cross-functional teams in establishing new collections, and the psychological value of physical materials to campus communities.

Keywords:

• Popular reading
• leisure reading
• academic library
• physical collections
• project management
• cross-functional teams

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge Leslie Sharp, Dean of Libraries at Georgia Tech, Karen Glover, Associate Dean for Content, Access & User Services, and the Popular Reading Collection team (Jackie Boyd, Chris Britt-Rogers, Derrick Foster, Laurie Judd, Joslin Lee, Amelia McBride, Alexis Linoski) for their assistance with this project and for gathering information about its development.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

John Mack Freeman

John Mack Freeman (he/him) is the Head of Public Services Librarian at the Georgia Tech Library. Prior to this, he worked for nine years as a public librarian. He has a M.L.I.S. from Valdosta State University and a B.A. in English and a B.A. in Theatre from Shorter College. Freeman is a member of the Library Freedom Project. His research interests include library services to marginalized groups, privacy and surveillance in library spaces, open government, and the influence of space on workplace culture.

Catherine Manci

Catherine Manci is the Public Programming & Community Engagement Specialist for the Georgia Institute of Technology Library. She earned a M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and B.A. in Secondary Education: English from Clemson University. In 2019 Catherine was selected as one of the American Library Association’s Emerging Leaders.

Sarah Cruz

Sarah Cruz (she/her) is an Associate Archivist at The Coca-Cola Company, but at the time of this project, served as a Metadata Librarian at the Georgia Tech Library and has worked for seven years as a cataloging librarian. She has an M.L.I.S, a B.S. in Journalism & Mass Communications, and a B.A. in Sociology from San José State University. Her research interests include born-digital preservation & arrangement, critical cataloging & archival description, and resource sharing to enhance gender inclusivity & racial equity in the cycling & outdoors scene through her community’s gear library.

Kimberly Sheldon

Kimberly Sheldon is a P MP (Project Management Professional) certified Program and Portfolio Manager for the Georgia Tech Library. She came to Georgia Tech from Hewlett- Packard where she held project and program positions in the Technical Services business. Sheldon has a B.A. from Mercer University and an M.A. from Georgia State University in Economics. Her interests are in art and ST EAM initiatives for students and faculty and staff.