Information Services

Collection Development Policy

Psychology

Purpose

The Psychology library funds are used primarily to support the instructional and research needs of the Psychology Department at the graduate and undergraduate levels.   Connecticut College offers an MA degree in psychology with specializations in clinical psychology and behavioral medicine/health psychology.   On the undergraduate level, the Psychology Department has a strong emphasis on research skills, providing students with course work in the areas of clinical, social, and experimental psychology.   Psychology funds are also used to support two interdisciplinary majors, the Psychology-based Human Relations major and Behavioral Neuroscience.   Other appropriate subject funds might also be used to purchase materials for the interdisciplinary subjects.

General Guidelines

In addition to supporting the research needs of the graduate and undergraduate students, the library collection seeks to reflect the topical specialties of the faculty in the Psychology Department whenever possible.   Topics may include environmental science, personality theory, abnormal psychology, tests and measures and the psychology of women. In general, the Library does not collect textbooks or multiple copies of materials.

Faculty are invited and 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 criteria outlined in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy.   Faculty are asked to aid in this process.

Types of Materials Collected

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

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 exceptions listed in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy.   Preferences will also be given to electronic indexes with full text access to journal articles when coverage is comparable.   Audiovisual materials in the forms of DVDs and videos are also acquired to support both research and teaching.

Languages

Most materials, regardless of format, should be in English to facilitate use by the majority of students.   Translations into English of significant works are also acquired.   Occasionally, important editions of major psychological texts will be acquired in another language.

Geographic Areas

British and European works dominate the earlier collection, but American works are now collected in the greatest depth.   Increased interest in cross-cultural psychology and Third World Cultures has expanded the geographic parameters.   No areas are specifically excluded.

Chronological Scope

Materials relevant to the study of the progression of psychology 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

At Connecticut College , current students, 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 Ashley Hanson, Library Liaison to the Psychology Department

Draft was forwarded to Stuart Vyse, Chair of the Psychology Department for review and comment.

LC Class Ranges

BF, HM, HQ, HV, QL, QP, RC

Ordering Library Materials

Recommendations and requests for purchase of psychology materials should be addressed to Ashley Hanson, Shain Library.

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

Liaison

Ashley Hanson
Research and Instruction Librarian
Charles E. Shain Library
Connecticut College
(860) 439-2653
ashley.hanson@conncoll.edu