My former local public library in Lake Bluff, IL (https://www.lakeblufflibrary.org) uses a slatwall and book stands to display their "Trending Titles." On each stand they have a paper printout of the cover, so users can see which titles are in the collection, even if they're not available to borrow.

Jennie E. Callas
she/her/hers
Head of Reference & Instruction
University of Wisconsin–Parkside Library

On 10/27/20, 11:00 PM, "Fiction Discussion List on behalf of FICTION_L automatic digest system" 

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    Date:    Tue, 27 Oct 2020 11:06:14 -0400
    From:    Karen Nootbaar <[log in to unmask]>
    Subject: Political Books - Controversy

    Northland is a busy suburban library outside Pittsburgh, PA.  
    We have a Lucky Day Collection (Bestsellers) that exists outside the holds cue and consists of multiple copies of high-demand titles.  These titles are first-come, first-serve and cannot be reserved.  

    Currently this collection has recent high-demand titles in fiction and biography as well as popular nonfiction titles, including political books from Bob Woodward, Michael Cohen, etc.  In the past the collection has had high-demand titles from Ann Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, etc.   However, depending on the political climate there may seem to be more titles supporting one "side".  Often the reason is that so many items are checked out that a patron can only see what is left on the shelf, which may make it seem that only one side is represented.   

    We purchase materials for our regular collection to represent a broad range of opinions, however, the criteria for the Lucky Day collection is basically demand.  

    Increasingly we are fielding complaints of bias from patrons based solely on the items which are on the Lucky Day shelf AT THAT MOMENT in time.  Like I said, this is a super-popular collection so a majority of titles are checked out.  

    There has been a suggestion that we refrain from purchasing political titles for this collection, but they are in high-demand and this collection helps alleviate the holds ratios on these books and speed up availability for our patrons. 

    Has anyone else had to deal with a similar situation?  And, if so, how did you handle it?  

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