This innovation is a response to declining physical circulation and identified barriers to access. Instead of forcing customers to learn library navigation and traditional searching skills in order to find what they are looking for, we instead base our design on conventional and identifiable methods of organization found in retail models. Materials are categorized and displayed by genre or subject (i.e., biography, wellness, STEAM, Indigenous, Romance etc.) with a focus on face out display.

All materials contained in Featured Collections are selected based on popularity, physical appeal and currency (the cream of the crop!). They are catalogued and labeled by category for easy location, organization and to measure collection performance. Featured Collections sit in close proximity to general collections, to draw interest in titles not included in FC displays. Featured Collections are non-holdable ensuring that high interest titles are available to those browsing in our physical spaces.

Since launching Featured Collections in July, we have collected excellent feedback from customers and staff citing an enhanced browsing experience. Staff have also noted that FC has improved customers’ self sufficiency in locating items of interest providing staff with more capacity to focus on other aspects of service. We currently have not experienced any recovery to our physical collection circulation due to the pandemic, but we do hope to see long term gains in the future.