Purpose
Established in the Fall 2010, the collection of the Popular Browsing Room, known as the Pop Shop, was created to provide direct access to recreational materials for the IU Indianapolis community. The collection includes popular fiction and non-fiction, periodicals, feature films, board games and other items to encourage and promote personal discovery, self-education, and entertainment. By cultivating intellectual development, providing personal enrichment, and assisting professional exploration the Library aims to support student success, academic achievement, and lifelong learning. This collection is in a central, accessible location, with appropriate seating and browsing space.
Responsibility
The Campus Outreach Group (COG) assumes responsibility for the Pop Shop Collection. COG will designate an Access Services staff member who serves as the primary Pop Shop Coordinator and manages the daily operations of the area. A librarian from Educational Services will assist in the collection development.
Books
Popular fiction and non-fiction titles are selected for lease based on their appearance on The New York Times (NYT) Bestseller’s lists. The current and previous one year’s bestsellers are featured in the Pop Shop. Titles not on the NYT Bestseller’s list will be added to the collection based on availability from the contracted vendor, popularity, and available shelf space. Materials held within University Library but not in the Pop Shop can be moved by request or based on the needs of the Campus Outreach Group. Anyone can suggest an item be moved or purchased; however, University Library does not relocate or purchase self-help titles.
Audio-Visual
Physical Media titles are selected from the library’s existing collection based on popularity and general interest on a title-by-title basis. Items will be shelved alphabetically by title. Titles will be displayed with appropriate security measures. New titles are selected based on availability from our contracted audio-visual vendor. Media format will be selected on availability and current viewing standards.
Periodicals
Current issues of newspapers and magazines are selected on a title-by-title basis, based on perceived popularity and recreational use. Only the current issue will be on display in the Pop Shop. Periodicals in the Pop Shop are a part of the ongoing University Library journal use study conducted by Access Services staff, who are responsible for the ongoing maintenance of all current periodicals.
Other Items
Other physical materials such as board games, puzzles, and Lego’s are purchased based on feedback from librarians as well as by recommendation from faculty, staff, and students. Requests for non-specified categories will be reviewed by the COG Coordinators before purchase.
Evaluation & Weeding
The Pop Shop coordinators will review the circulation statistics for items in the Pop Shop on a regular basis. Items with low or no circulation in the last year will be considered for removal from the Pop Shop and either placement in the library’s general collection or return to the contracted vendor. Items owned by University Library will be weeded from the collection.