Serving the whole person: popular materials in academic libraries

Purpose - This paper seeks to provide support and direction for academic libraries collecting popular materials.Design methodology approach - This paper offers a case study format supplemented by statistical and descriptive analyses.Findings - The paper presents literature and case history-based information on the debate surrounding popular materials collection in academic libraries. The case study provides concrete, cost-effective steps for academic libraries to use in building popular materials collections.Practical implications - The authors make the case for support of popular materials collections through detailed evaluation of circulation records.Originality value - This paper offers a level of statistical analysis of circulation records unique to the library literature on popular materials collection. It also provides a distinctive case history of the evolution of a successful collection and includes easily adaptable steps.