Information Services

Collection Development Policy

History

Purpose

The library works closely with the History Department to acquire resources in support of the major.   Purchase decisions are made based on faculty request, courses taught by the department and the desire to provide basic coverage of the full range of historical literature.      

In addition, the library supports faculty research and scholarship to the extent possible within budgetary limits and supplements its local resources through the extensive collections available at Trinity College and Wesleyan University , its consortial partners.   The library provides access to the literature of the field through a full complement of major electronic databases, including Historical Abstracts and America History and Life, and maintains an active interlibrary loan system to obtain materials not available within the CTW consortium.

General Subject Boundaries

While the Library's collection includes basic works covering the range of historical literature, its strengths reflect the curriculum and the special interests of the history faculty. The department has a strong focus on social and intellectual history and encourages its students to conduct independent research using primary source materials.    Subjects covered by the department include continental and national histories, all periods of history through the Modern era and major themes, such as the history of religion, gender, race, rebellions and revolutions, and immigration and migration.   In recent years, special attention has been given to building collections in African-American history, Latin American studies, history of the western United States and Islamic studies.   Historically, the collections are particularly strong in British and Irish history, History of Japan and China , European history with an emphasis on intellectual and cultural history, and United States history, including the history of Native America.  

Types of Materials Collected

The Library collects scholarly monographs, journals, media materials and electronic databases and indexes important to the discipline.   An effort is made to provide full text electronic journal access when available.   Emphasis is given to collecting primary source materials such as contemporary records, letters & journals, diaries, autobiographies, speeches, ledgers, photographs and official records.    

Format of Materials Collected

In general, monographs and reference works will be collected in print format.   Facsimiles of primary sources, such as early codices, are purchased when appropriate.    Generally, the Library will subscribe to journals in one format only, and preference will be given to electronic format when available. Preference will also be given to electronic indexes with full text access to journal articles when coverage is comparable.   Priority will be given to the acquisition of electronic collections of primary source materials such as documents, letters, newspapers and personal journals when feasible.   The Library will collect films as needed by the faculty for their teaching, and preference will be given to DVDs if available.

Languages

The majority of materials purchased in support of history are in English.   However, materials in other languages will be acquired as appropriate, particularly in support of students in the Center for International Studies and the Liberal Arts.  

Geographical Areas

The major geographical areas emphasized within the department are Africa , Latin America , Asia ( India , Japan and China ), Europe and the United States .   Additional materials are purchased to support increased research interest in the Middle East .

Chronological Guidelines

There are no chronological restrictions to materials collected in support of historical study.

Special Collections and Manuscripts

Shain Library's Special Collections include a collection of materials relating to New London history, including booster books, directories, postcards, scrapbooks and the collection of the New London Development Corporation.   There are also many examples of materials printed in New London during the 18 th century.   Travel books, including some dealing with arctic exploration, are well represented in the collections.

The College Archives include an extensive collection of materials dealing with the history of the College.

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 March 2005 by Marian Shilstone, Library Liaison to the History Department, in consultation with Professor Marc Forster, Chair of the Department of History.

LC Class

C, D, E, F, G, H, K

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 history materials should be addressed to Marian Shilstone, Library Liaison to the History Department.

Liaison

Marian Shilstone
Director of Information Resources
Charles E. Shain Library
(860) 439-2676
marian.shilstone@conncoll.edu