Why Your Academic Library Needs a Popular Reading Collection Now More Than Ever

Pauline Dewan
2010 College & Undergraduate Libraries  
Introduction A major goal of Dominican University of California's new strategic plan is to transform our library into a center where students can develop a life-long habit of reading. Our drab 1960's style reading room was the ideal location to refurbish and to locate our new leisure reading collection of books and magazines. By updating the room with new carpeting, shelving, tables, chairs, and ottomans, we wanted to change the philosophical perception of the library so the students would have
more » ... an inviting place to satisfy both their educational and entertainment needs. Then by adding a leisure collection of books and magazines, our goal is to increase the reading amongst the students and improve their college experience, So far our project has been well-received on campus with good circulation and student use of the reading room for browsing, reading and studying. A Plan •Attract students to library •Entice students to read more •Update reading room for comfort, reading and studying •Keep up-to-date with reading materials, displays and weeding. "I had an unexpectedly wonderful moment two weeks ago when in the middle of a presentation about my library's shortrange strategy I displayed a photo of Dominican's lovely popular reading room...The change-making image from Dominican wasn't a comparison of what money can do. That photo was a comparison of what leadership can do" (Schneider, 2009).
doi:10.1080/10691310903584775 fatcat:aofrpidazrei7bd7az36glozyi