Diversifying Popular Reading in an Academic Library Arthur Aguilera Collection Analyst Librarian University of Colorado Boulder (He/His/Him)

Why have a Popular Reading Collection? Comprehension of academic texts Promotes civic participation Helps develop higher order reasoning skills Better access to non academic material Develops the whole student Why have a Popular Reading Collection?

CU Boulder Popular Reading Collection ~ Lease program ~ 600 + Titles covering 35+ genres ~ Updated every 2-3 months while school is in session ~ Spread across two different areas on campus

Management Tools Microsoft Access Combining BISAC Subject Headings with ILS Data Assign multiple subject headings to one title Create reports Captures historical information that may be deleted from ILS BISAC Subject Headings Book Industry Standards and Communications Industry-approved subject descriptors

BISAC Subject Headings

Create Query to Combine General Process Assign BISAC Assign BISAC Subject Headings to each title after uploading your title list to Access. Download ILS Data Download usage data from your ILS, including circulation count, patron type information, and bibliographic record numbers. Create Query to Combine Using the bibliographic record number as a matchpoint, query your circulation data with the master title list in order to add BISAC subject headings. Analyze & Decide Make your decision based on topics of interests or topics missing from your collection.

Table showing Current Collection

Combining BISAC Headings with Circulation Data

Example Queries

Custom Topic Queries & Reports

Discoverability

School shootings School violence Gun control Violence History Social Science / Violence in Society Biography & Autobiography / Social Activists History / United States / 21st Century

Thank you! arthur.aguilera@colorado.edu

References Brookbank, E., Davis, A., & Harlan, L. (2018). Don’t Call It a Comeback: Popular Reading Collections in Academic Libraries. Reference & User Services Quarterly, 58(1), 28-39. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/rusq.58.1.6838 Rathe, B. & Blankenship, L. (2006). Recreational Reading Collections in Academic Libraries, Collection Management,30:2, 73-85, DOI: 10.1300/J105v30n02_06