The Pop-Up Library: A Curated Collection for Events
The pop-up library is a way for us to bring our collections to patrons by curating a small collection of books and other materials related to an event theme. Attendees of the event can check out the books on the spot to continue learning about the topic after the program.
Overview
The pop-up library began as an idea for the (Y)Our Health in the Movies event series, a collaborative project between the Libraries, the Office of University Interdisciplinary Programs, and the Global One Health Academy. This series took a look at how themes related to One Health—the idea that the health of people is connected to the health of animals, plants, and biodiversity—are depicted in popular culture, through media such as film, television, and video games. The organizers expressed interest in having books related to the themes—infectious disease, climate change, and food and water—on display for attendees. We took it a step further by having a librarian available to check out books to event-goers, so they could have them on the spot at the event.
How We Did It
Karen Ciccone, Lead Librarian for Public Science, worked with the event speakers to help curate each collection. As a group, they recommended around 11-15 books per event. The Libraries team then ordered or pulled them from the shelves for the day of the event. The Libraries team arrived early to set up the books and other materials so attendees could browse and check out books before the event began.
We have done the pop-up library for the (Y)Our Health in Movies event series and the World of Waste discussion for the Environmental Justice Symposium. The pop-up library model can be used for any themed event.
The pop-up library is a great opportunity to connect with students and other attendees about their interest in these topics. The table display attracts attention and is a conversation starter for event-goers and passersby who are curious about what is happening in the space. Many of the event attendees do stop to browse the collection, comment on books they've read and related titles, and ask questions about the curation of the collection or general library-related questions.
Whether or not the titles get checked out, the pop-up library is an effective method for showing off our collections and connecting with our patrons.
