Information Services

Collection Development Policy

Anthropology

Purpose

The Anthropology Department at Connecticut College represents the classic four-field approach to anthropology encompassing social and cultural anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, and biological/physical anthropology. Anthropological methods and theories as well as ethnographic data are central to this approach. Students are encouraged to develop a broad perspective on diverse human cultures, including our own, as well as a thorough overview of the human experience.

General Guidelines

The Library's collection will reflect this classic four-field approach to support undergraduate research and teaching needs. The collection will also reflect the topical and geographical specialties of the faculty of the Anthropology Department including: anthropological theory, applied anthropology, archaeology, ethnobotany, and visual anthropology. Other areas of emphasis will include: Africa , the Caribbean region, classical civilizations, native North and South America , and South Asia . The Library has traditionally had a strong collection of materials on indigenous North America , both archaeological and ethnographic materials, and will continue to give emphasis in developing this collection. Faculty research needs will be accommodated within the scope of the general guidelines and limits of the materials budget. In general, the Library does not collect textbooks or multiple copies of materials.

Faculty are encouraged to submit purchase requests and make recommendations to the departmental liaison. The liaison, in consultation with the Director of Information Resources, will make the final purchasing decision.

The periodic removal (weeding or deselection) of extraneous and obsolete materials from the shelves will be conducted using the criteria outlined in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy.

Types of Materials Collected

The primary types of materials that support undergraduate research and teaching needs include monographs, journals, databases and indexes relevant to anthropology, general reference works, audiovisual materials, and government documents. While monographs will provide the bulk of research materials, the Library will maintain its collection of journals relevant to anthropology and will provide additional full text electronic journal access when feasible. For all types of materials, the emphasis will be on current materials published in English.

In particular, the Library will maintain its collection of reports and bulletins from the Bureau of American Ethnology, American Anthropological Association, American Museum of Natural History, and Yale University . These materials provide excellent coverage of late-nineteenth through mid-twentieth century indigenous North America .

Format of Materials Collected

Monographs and general reference works will be acquired in print format. Generally, the Library will subscribe to journals in one format only, and preference will be given to electronic format when available with the exceptions listed in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy. Preference will also be given to electronic indexes with full text access to journal articles when coverage is comparable. There is a significant need to support the curriculum with audiovisual materials emphasizing ethnomusicology and visual anthropology.

Languages

Most materials, regardless of format, should be in English to facilitate use by the majority of students. In the case of audiovisual materials, ethnographic films and ethnomusicology materials may contain substantial portions in the language of origin. In some instances, information relating to certain geographic regions such as Latin America and the Caribbean may only be available in another language. These materials will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will not be acquired unless the College offers a major in that language.

Geographical Areas

Emphasis is given to areas of faculty specialization including, but not limited to: Africa , North and South America , the Caribbean region, and South Asia . Special attention will be given to materials concerning indigenous North America .

Chronological Guidelines

Anthropology is a broad discipline encompassing the human experience from its origins through present day issues. The Library will collect materials that reflect this spectrum of human experience with particular emphasis on topics currently taught within the Anthropology Department. As mentioned above, the library will maintain its collection of materials relating to native North America in the 19 th and 20 th centuries.

Special Collections and Manuscripts

Shain Library's Special Collections has several facsimile reproductions of Mexican codices as well as a number of early herbals and books dealing with medical botany.

The acquisition of primary source materials, rare books, codices, and other special collections materials will be determined by the Special Collections Librarian.

Other Resources Available

Currently registered students and Connecticut College faculty and staff have access to monographs, audiovisual materials, and government documents from Trinity College and Wesleyan University through the CTW Consortium. Interlibrary loan provides access to monographs not held within the CTW Consortium as well as journal articles not available at Connecticut College .

Creation Date and Revision History

Draft document created January 2005 by Melissa Behney, Library Liaison to the Anthropology Department.

Draft forwarded to John Burton, Chair of the Anthropology Department for review and comment.

LC Class

CC, DS, DT, E, F, GN

Collection Development and Information Access Policy

The Collection Development and Information Access Policy can be viewed at:

http://www.conncoll.edu/is/info-resources/colldevpolicy.html

Ordering Library Materials

Recommendations and requests for purchase of anthropology materials should be addressed to Melissa Behney, Library Liaison to the Anthropology Department.

Liaison

Melissa Behney
Special Projects Coordinator/
Research and Instruction Librarian
Charles E. Shain Library
(860) 439-2444
melissa.behney@conncoll.edu