Information Services

Collection Development Policy

Religious Studies

Purpose

The library collection at Connecticut College supports the broad undergraduate research needs and the instructional needs of the faculty in all major areas of religion. The Library seeks to have strong undergraduate collections in Western Christianity, South Asian religions, Judaism and Islamic Studies.   There is also an emphasis on new religious movements.   There is some overlap with other subject collections due to the broadening interdisciplinary approach to the study of religion.   Areas of overlap may include philosophy, gender, sociology and politics.

General Subject Boundaries

The Religious Studies Department has research and teaching interests that are broadly based in the following areas:   Judaic Studies, Christianity, history of religion, new religious movements, Hinduism, Buddhism, and gender and religion.   The library's collection attempts to reflect these areas of interest at the undergraduate level.   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 invited 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.   Faculty are encouraged to give consultation in this process.

Types of Materials Collected

The primary types of materials that support undergraduate research and teaching include monographs, journals, databases and indexes relevant to religious studies, 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 religious studies and will provide additional full text electronic journal access when feasible. Currently, a new journal will be added to the collection only if a title of equal or greater value is cancelled.   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 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 also a significant need to support the curriculum with audiovisual materials emphasizing religious practices.

Languages

Most materials, regardless of format, should be in English to facilitate use by the majority of students.   Historically, other Western languages have also been collected.   Important works of scholarship and primary sources are still occasionally collected in other Western languages, but there is a de-emphasis on modern works in languages other than English.   The Library also maintains a collection of volumes in Hebrew and a small collection of volumes in Asian languages.  

Geographic Areas

There are no particular geographic limitations.

Chronological Guidelines

Religious Studies is a broad discipline encompassing ancient times to present day issues.   The Library will collect materials that reflect this spectrum of human experience with particular emphasis on topics currently taught within the Religious Studies Department.  

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 Religious Studies Department.

Draft forwarded to Eugene Gallagher, Rosemary Park Professor of Religious Studies for review and comment.

Revised April 2005 by Ashley Hanson with Prof. Gallagher's suggestions.

LC Class Ranges

BL, BM, BP, BQ, BR, BS, BT, BV, BX

Ordering Library Materials

Recommendations and requests for purchase of religious studies 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