“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.