Subject Collection Development Guidelines

JMU Libraries supports James Madison University's Department of History with a collection that supports instruction and research and that takes into consideration the department’s comprehensive curriculum and involvement in general education. The collection reflects the department’s focus on public history, world history, and U.S. history. The history collection is developed in accordance with the department’s evolving undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Bachelors and Masters programs in History, and many interdisciplinary minors that draw on historical resources, including Africana Studies, American Studies, Classical Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, and Middle Eastern Communities and Migrations. Acquisitions and collection management of history materials also supports the library-wide mission of fostering environments that allow users to connect with ideas and information.

Guidelines

Materials are considered for their subject, curriculum relevance, authoritativeness, currency, and price. User requests and appropriateness for the entire collection are also key criteria for consideration. Primary emphasis is on current materials.

• Emphasis is on current materials; however, historic materials are also collected, especially published editions of primary source documents.
• Primary format is print. Other formats (e.g., electronic, microform, and video) are purchased selectively to support the curriculum. When deciding between a print and electronic resource of comparable scope and information type, preference is given to print materials that foster sustained engagement with the text. Electronic format is generally preferable for reference and periodical resources and for items in great demand.
• Materials are acquired primarily from U.S. publishers, but books published in the U.K. are also regularly purchased.
• English-language materials are purchased almost exclusively, but foreign language materials, especially in French, German, and Spanish, are selectively collected.

Responsibilities

The responsibility of acquiring and managing history collections primarily resides with the history liaison librarian. Liaison librarians work with faculty within academic departments. Collection management activities are monitored and administered by JMU Libraries' Collection Development Committee, with expenditures authorized by the Dean of Libraries.

Updated April 4, 2012, by Patricia Hardesty

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