Theatre Guidelines

I. Purpose and Program Description

A. Library's Collection Development Objectives

The library seeks to provide materials primarily to support courses at the undergraduate level in Theatre. Theatre is included in the Department of Communication. The library also seeks to support Masters degree level coursework in this area as part of the Master's of Liberal Arts degree program. In addition, the library supports the work of undergraduate students in the School of Education who upon graduation will be qualified to teach theatre and drama in the public schools. Secondary support is directed to faculty teaching and research and research assistance for patrons. Our library is the primary support library for both the professional regional repertory theatre company housed at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and for the Master of Fine Arts degree programs offered by the University of Alabama but housed at ASF.   The interdisciplinary nature of these studies requires that students and faculty consult related collections in the library.

B. Curricular Program Description

Extensive resources in the library are needed by the director and design teams for theatre productions. This would include, for example, materials on: (1) the life and times of a particular playwright, (2) the theatre history and dramatic literature for that playwright's own time and country, (3) the country and time period in which the play is set, and (4) reviews of as many other productions as have been mounted of the play in question or the mounting of the other works by Tom Stoppard and Dario Fo who are contemporary English and Italian authors respectively; Vincent Van Gogh, 19th-century French painter, George M. Cohen, an early 20th-century forward American composer and playwright; and a modern British author about the French Revolution. Some courses are also offered in support of the Master of Liberal Arts degree program. Theater courses taught in that program to date have been in 19th-century American drama, Elizabethan and Stuart drama, and Colonial American drama.

C. New and Expanding Areas of Interest

Afro-American Theatre
African Drama
European Theatre
French Drama
Film Studies

D. Areas of Specialization

1. acting                                         7. dramatic literature
2. directing                                      8. theatre administration
3. costume design                             9. playwriting
4. set design                                   10. dance
5. lighting design                              11. film
6. theatre history

E. Overlap with Other Academic Disciplines and Library Collections

Speech/Communication, Education, Music, Fine Arts, Sociology, History, International Studies, Philosophy

II. General Selection Guidelines

A. Languages: English is the primary language collected. Works in other languages may be acquired, with particular attention being paid to acquiring the best available English translation available. The latter is a second priority. When greater funds are available, the library seeks to build a theatre collection with an international perspective, acquiring the most basic and monumental works from countries outside the Western tradition.

B. Chronological Coverage: No limitations.

C. Geographical Coverage: Dictated by the author's country of origin, though primarily United States and Western Europe at this time.

D. Types of Materials: Includes 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, retrospective publications are also being purchased in available formats at this time in order to fill in gaps.

F. Physical Format: Hardbound and paperbound books are collected extensively. Pamphlets, serials, and periodicals are collected selectively.   Books with media, microforms and audiovisuals are collected selectively in consultation with the Theatre liaison Library.  

G. Treatment of Subject: The library is attempting to build a level 2b-3a collection in the areas of: theatre history, dramatic literature, acting (historical as well as contemporary studies), lighting design, dramatic theory, and dramatic criticism. In the areas of dance, film, theatre administration, and playwriting the level is 2a-2b. Popular treatments of theater and drama will    be acquired only selectively, and with justification.

H. Place of Publication: Primary emphasis: United States, U.K., Canada, Australia and New Zealand. While primary emphasis is placed on English language publications, imprints from other countries will be considered.

I. Acquisitions Plans Affecting Theater:

1.) Standing Orders:

Contemporary Authors
Contemporary Authors New Revision Series
Contemporary Literary Criticism
Dictionary of Literary Biography
Dictionary of Literary Biography Yearbook
Drama Criticism
Literary Criticism From 1400-1800
Nineteenth Century Literary Criticism
Performing Arts Resources
Shakespearean Criticism
Something About the Author
Twentieth Century Literary Criticism

2.) Approval Plans:

Blackwell North America: Books and Forms; Baker & Taylor: forms.

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; subject bibliographies from major works such as Oscar Brockett's A History of the Theatre and Century of Innovation.

K. Weeding/Replacement: Currency is not a primary consideration, therefore weeding will be kept to a minimum. Items will be considered for weeding should their 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 theatre liaison will determine whether microformat is acceptable as a replacement.

L. Classification That Define the Scope of the Collection:

Library Liaison: Best                           Subject: THEATRE

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATEMENT:
CLASSED ANALYSIS

Collection Level