Fine Arts Guidelines

I. Purpose and Program Description

A. Library's Collection Development Objectives

The collection's primary purpose and emphasis is to support studies at the undergraduate degree level in Visual Arts. The library also seeks to support MLA level coursework in this area. Additional support is directed to courses in the field of Art Education at the undergraduate and master's degree levels. Secondary support is directed to faculty teaching and research.

B. Curricular Program Description

Approximately thirty courses are offered in art history, drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, and graphic design, particularly computer aided design. In addition to the Majors & Minors in Visual Arts, students wishing to teach art in elementary and secondary school may combine the major in Visual Arts with the appropriate education courses to qualify for teacher certification.

C. New and Expanding Areas of Interest

1. World Art and Art History Resources.

2. Art Education.

D. Areas of Specialization

1. Art history     
2. Sculpture    
3. Ceramics    
4. Computer graphics
5. Painting
6. Printmaking
7. Photography

E. Overlap with Other Academic Disciplines and Library Collections

American Literature, Communications (advertising copy and layout), Drama, Education (elementary and secondary art education), English Literature, Music, Philosophy (aesthetics), and Western European Literature.

 II.   General Selection Guidelines

A. Languages: English is the primary language of the collection. Key works written in languages other than English are purchased selectively and usually in English translation.

B. Chronological Coverage: No limitations, though more emphasis is given to building the collection in the area of Renaissance and 19th century art at this time. A new emphasis has been placed on 20th century art, particularly from non-European sources. Collections continue on building design and architecture as art.

C. Geographical Coverage: Primary emphasis is on art and artists of the United States and Western Europe. A new emphasis on materials covering non-western and primitive art is being implemented, particularly focusing on 20th century non-western art.

D. Types of Materials: Primary emphasis is on professional books: both primary and secondary sources of art history, and scholarly studies of individual artists or works of art. Reference tools (encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, museum and gallery guides, bibliographies), are collected more selectively, with primary emphasis given to developing a core collection. Excluded are textbooks, symposium proceedings, anthologies of reproductions of art works (adding those of good quality only), auction catalogs, and dissertations.

E. Imprint Date: Date is not an important factor in art, though it is expected more current than retrospective books are to be acquired. In advertising art, computer graphics, and photography current materials are more important.

F. Physical Format: Hardbound and paper bound books are collected extensively; with microforms and audiovisuals being collected selectively. Excluded are original works of art and slides (collected by Art Department), pamphlets and portfolios.

G. Treatment of Subject: Although scholarly treatments of a subject are emphasized, there is some variation in what is needed for Art History and Studio Art:

1. Art History: The materials needed for art history courses range from the primary and secondary sources necessary to support undergraduate instruction, and from scholarly studies of the works of one particular artist or one particular work of art, to "picture books" consisting of reproductions of an artist's work, with little or no text, which are purchased when the quality of the reproductions is especially good.

2. Studio Art: The practice and methods of studio art, including techniques for all media and materials is emphasized. Some "how-to" (less scholarly) books might be treated more selectively.

H. Place of Publication: Emphasis is given to materials published in the United States and Canada. Materials from all other places are collected selectively.

I. Acquisitions Plans Affecting Fine Arts:

1.) Standing Orders: Encyclopedia of World Art (& suplts.)

2.) Approval Plans: Blackwell North America: Forms.

J. Major Assessment/Selection tools: Books for College Libraries; Ehresmann, Donald L. Fine Arts: A Bibliographic Guide to Basic Reference Works, Histories, and Handbooks; Humanities Index; Sheehy, Eugene P. Guide to Reference Books; Choice.

K. Weeding/Replacement: Currency of materials is not a major criterion for assessment, thus weeding/replacement is kept to an absolute minimum.   Materials for weeding or replacement are evaluated in accordance with the General Collection Management and Development Policy statement on Weeding/Replacement.

L. Classifications That Define Scope of Collection:

N - Visual Arts (General)
NA - Architecture
NB - Sculpture
NC - Drawing. Design
ND - Painting
NE - Print Media
NK - Decorative arts. Applied arts
NX - Arts in general
TR - Photography
TT - Handicrafts. Arts and crafts

         M. Recommended Collection Level: 2bE - 3aE

Library Liaison: Hightower                       Subject: Fine Arts
 

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATEMENT:
CLASSED ANALYSIS