English Literature
I. Purpose and Program Description
A. Library's Collection Development Objectives:
The primary purpose of the collection is to support teaching and research at the Core Curriculum, Baccalaureate and Master levels.
B. Curricular Program Description
Undergraduate degrees offered affecting this area include the Bachelor of Arts in English and the Bachelor of Science in Education for those majoring in the teaching field of English. The curriculum strives to provide students with a firm foundation preparatory to graduate studies in English and related fields. A graduate degree (Master of Liberal Arts) is also offered. The MLA degree utilizes an interdisciplinary approach involving students in the areas of art, communication, English, history, music, philosophy and sociology. Students are provided with a broad background to the culture and society of the western world and from there select a specific topic that will result in a thesis.
C. New and Expanding Areas of Interest
Plans for new areas of interest include editing; wit and humor. There is an expanding interest in feminist literature and literary theory. There is also interest in children's literature, including fairy tales. Expanding interests are Renaissance drama and 18th century British drama. The Holocaust is also an area of expanding interest.
A new area of interest is in the field of travel literature, particularly by British writers. Works describing England and the British Isles are also of interest.
D. Areas of Specialization
Because of the youth of the library combined with a lack of funding during the early years of its existence to purchase retrospective collections, the collection contains spotty areas and lacks real strengths. Among the areas of greatest strength (and this is a relative term) are the following areas: Shakespeare, English Literature, 17th & 18th Centuries, Literary History, and Literary Criticism. The "Strengths: in these areas are due to an increased emphasis in collecting in these areas over the past few years. Increased holdings in the areas of folklore and mythology have strengthened the collection in these areas as well.E. Overlap with Other Academic Disciplines and Library Collections
Communication, Education, International Studies, History, Journalism, Philosophy, Sociology, Speech, Theater, and Special Collections. Note: Literature outside of Great Britain (United Kingdom) and the United States now falls under the jurisdiction of the International Studies department (with the exception of literatuers written in English) and primarily focuses upon the literatures of France, Germany, and Spain.
II. General Selection Guidelines
A. Languages: English is the primary language collected. Works in other languages may be acquired selectively and usually in English translation.
B. Chronological Coverage: No limitations.
C. Geographical Coverage: Dictated by the author's country of origin. Thus, the English Literature collection consists of publications by and about British and British Commonwealth authors. Primary emphasis is placed on the literatures and authors of the United Kingdom. Works by and about authors of the current or former nations of the British Commonwealth may be added selectively.
D. Types of Materials: Includes encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, dictionaries, yearbooks, periodicals, bibliographies, biographies, monographs and journals. Theses from the MLA program are added. Fine Art encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, dictionaries, yearbooks, periodicals, bibliographies, biographies, monographs and journals. Theses from the MLA program are added.
E. Imprint Date: Current in-print publications receive priority; however, selected retrospective publications are purchased in available formats as funding permits.
F. Physical Format: Hardbound and softbound; e-books where appropriate.
G. Treatment of Subject: All literary genres are collected. Juvenile literature is collected as will for the Education curriculum. Publications of major authors and those authors emphasized in the curriculum are given priority. Supplementary materials of biographical, bibliographical, critical, historical or textual nature are collected in so far as is possible given budget constraints.
H. Place of Publication: Primarily the United States and the United Kingdom.
I. Acquisitions Plans Affecting English/English Literature:
1.) Standing Orders:
Contemporary Authors
Contemporary Authors New Revision Series
Contemporary Literary Criticism
Dictionary of Literary Biography
Dictionary of Literary Biography Yearbook
Drama Criticism
Editor & Publisher International Yearbook
Literary Criticism From 1400-1800
Literary Market Place
Nineteenth Century Literary Criticism
Novel & Short Story Writer's Market
Poetry Criticism
Shakespearean Criticism
Something About the Author
Twentieth Century Literary Criticism
Who's Who in Writers, Editors & Poets, U.S. & Canada
Writer's Market
Writer's Directory2.) Approval Plans: BNA: Books and Forms.
Approval plan for Romantic Literature
J. Major Assessment/Selection Tools: Altick, Richard D. Selective Bibliography for the Study of English and American Literature; Books for College Libraries; MLA; Sheehy, Eugene P. Guide to Reference Books; Katz, Bill, Magazines for college Libraries; Choice; Booklist.
K. Weeding/Replacement: Currency is not a primary consideration, therefore weeding will be kept to a minimum. Items will be considered for weeding should the physical condition become such that they are no longer capable of being used. Where possible, obtaining replacement copies will be considered. Discussions between the departmental and the library liaison will determine whether microformat or an electronic format is acceptable as a replacement.
L. Classifications That Define the Scope of the Collection:
P Philosophy, Linguistics PE English Philology and Language PN 1-44 Literature: Periodicals, Yearbooks, Societies PN 45-75 Literature: Theory, Philosophy, etc. PN 80-99 Literary Criticism PN 101-249 Authorship PN 441-1009 Literary History PN 1010-1590 Poetry, Performing Arts PN 3311-3503 Prose, Prose Fiction, Short Story PN 6010-6078 Literature: General Collection PN 6080-6095 Collections of Quotations PN 6099-6120 Collections of Poetry & Drama PN 6121-6146 Collections of Orations, letters, essays PN 6147-6231 Wit, Humor, Satire PR 1-78 English Literature: Literary History and Criticism PR 81-151 History of English Literature, General PR 161-479 History of English Literature, by Period PR 500-978 History of English Literature, by Form PR 1098-1395 English Literature: Collections PR 1490-1799 Anglo-Saxon Literature PR 1803-2165 Anglo-Norman and Middle English Literature PR 2199-2450 English Renaissance Literature, Prose and Poetry PR 2411-2416 English Renaissance Drama: Anonymous Plays PR 2417-2749 English Renaissance Drama: Playwrights A-Shaj PR 2750-3112 Shakespeare PR 3135-3198 English Renaissance Drama: Playwrights Shar-Z PR 3291-3785 English Literature, 17th & 18th Centuries PR 3991-5990 English Literature, 19th Century PR 6000-6049 English Literature, 1900-1960 PR 6050-6076 English Literature, 1961 PR 8309-9899 English Literature: Provincial, Colonial, etc. Library Liaison: Best Subject: English Literature
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATEMENT:
CLASSED ANALYSISCollection Level
LC Class Descriptor P Philosophy, Linguistics PE English Philology and Language PN 1-44 Literature: Periodicals, Yearbooks, Societies PN 45-75 Literature: Theory, Philosophy, etc. PN 80-99 Literary Criticism PN 101-249 Authorship PN 441-1009 Literary History PN 1010-1590 Poetry, Performing Arts PN 3311-3503 Prose, Prose Fiction, Short Story PN 6010-6078 Literature: General Collection PN 6080-6095 Collections of Quotations PN 6099-6120 Collections of Poetry & Drama PN 6121-6146 Collections of Orations, letters, essays PN 6147-6231 Wit, Humor, Satire PR 1-78 English Lit: Literary History and Criticism PR 81-151 History of English Literature, General PR 161-479 History of English Literature, by Period PR 500-978 History of English Literature, by Form PR 1098-1395 English Literature: Collections PR 1490-1799 Anglo-Saxon Literature PR 1803-2165 Anglo-Norman and Middle English Literature PR 2199-2450 English Renaissance Lit, Prose and Poetry PR 2411-2416 English Renaissance Drama: Anonymous Plays PR 2417-2749 English Renaissance Drama: Playwrights A-Shaj PR 2750-3112 Shakespeare PR 3135-3198 English Renaissance Drama: Playwrights Shar-Z PR 3291-3785 English Literature, 17th & 18th Centuries PR 3991-5990 English Literature, 19th Century PR 6000-6049 English Literature, 1900-1960 PR 6050-6076 English Literature, 1961 PR 8309-9899 English Literature: Provincial, Colonial, etc.