Information Services

Collection Development Policy

Classics

Purpose

The collection supports the broad curricular, instructional and research needs in all major areas of interest in Classical languages and literature and the ancient world.   These include Greek, Latin, ancient history, classical art and archaeology, and ancient philosophy and religion.    There is some overlap with History, Art History, and Philosophy.

General Subject Boundaries

The Classics Department has research and teaching interests that are broadly based and include ancient philosophy, classical drama, women's studies, and Eugene O'Neill.   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 Material Collected

Publications in Classics are chiefly in books and serials.   Bibliographies, biographies and histories related to the study of Classics are collected.   Encyclopedias, dictionaries, and handbooks covering areas of classical studies and ancient history will be found in the Library's Reference Collection. Reference materials in electronic formats include the Expanded Academic Index, Art Abstracts, and Art Index Retrospective and are generally selected by library staff and paid for from funds designated for reference.

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.

Languages

The Library maintains a reasonably comprehensive of canonical Greek and Latin texts. For secondary materials, English is the primary language. Significant publications in other languages are acquired selectively.

Geographical Areas

The emphasis is on works published in the United States and Great Britain . The subject matter covers the classical world.

Chronological Scope

Materials concerning antiquity and its influence on post-classical civilization are collected.

Special Collections and Manuscripts

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 and Revision History

Draft document created March 2005 by Jim MacDonald, Library Liaison to the Classics Department.

Draft forwarded to Dirk Held, Chair of the Classics Department, for review and comment.

LC Class

CC, DE, DF, DG, PA.

Liaison

Jim MacDonald
Reference Librarian
Connecticut College Library
New London , CT 06320
(860) 439-2656
wjmac@conncoll.edu