COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

RALPH E. DOMAS OCTOBER 16, 2000

HISTORY

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

To support the History curriculum, materials will be acquired to keep the collection current on new theories and techniques in the field of history.

SCOPE OF COVERAGE

Language: English will be the primary language of the collection, unless there is a special request from a student or faculty for materials in another language, especially Spanish language material.

Geography: Primary emphasis is on United States and Texas history. Secondary emphasis is on the history of nations involved in the development of Western Civilization. Tertiary emphasis is on the history of other nations.

Chronology: Emphasis is placed on the purchase of materials published within the last five years.

Place of publication: Emphasis is on the purchase of materials published in the United States.

MATERIAL TYPES

All formats are considered for purchase. Textbooks are not purchased unless the material covered in a textbook is unique.

SELECTION TOOLS

The following tools will be used to identify and select items for purchase:

Reviews published in:

Choice

Library journal

Booklist

History journals

Other reviewing sources (e.g., book review section in newspapers)

Bibliographies included in books and journal articles

Publisher’s catalogs and flyers

Faculty and student recommendations

Guides such as:

Harvard guide to American history (Ref. Z1236.F77)

Guide to reference books (Ref. Z1035.1.G89)

Books for college libraries (Ref. Z1039.C65 B67)

Reference sources such as:

Biography and genealogy master index

Biography index

Essay and general literature index (Ref. AI3.E752)

RETENTION POLICY:

Superseded editions will be removed from the shelves unless they are listed in a major reference tool. Qualifications for indefinite retention include: Historical information on the subject; local connection; community college connection; listed in standard reference works; out of print.