Art Library Collection Development Policy
I. Introduction
The collection development policy of the Margaret M. Bridwell Art Library guides the development and management of the Art Library's collections. This policy is for the use of the art librarian and the Art Library's users. The policy will be updated as needed.
The policy consists of the general provisions noted below and the collection profile developed for the Art Library.
The ultimate responsibility for policy decisions related to the selection of library materials rests with the University Librarian. At the Art Library, the specific responsibility rests with the Art Librarian. Fine Arts faculty, other faculty, and graduate students are encouraged to provide recommendations for library materials.
II. Clientele
The primary clientele are the faculty and students of the Fine Arts Department. The Art Library also serves students and faculty in Humanities and Theater Arts and others in the university community, museum professionals, and members of the community at large.
III. Scope and Coverage
The scope of the collection includes primary and secondary materials to support the instructional programs and research needs of the faculty in the areas of painting, sculpture drawing, architectural history, graphic design, fiber arts, printmaking , photography, ceramics, interior design and art education.
IV. Formats
The majority of the collection consists of printed books and journals. Other formats collected included microform, videos, CD-ROMS and other electronic media, artists books and archival materials.
V. Selection Criteria
A. Languages. Publications in English have the highest priority. Significant works published in German, Italian, French and Spanish and foreign language publications which are largely pictorial have second priority. Materials in Asian languages are very selectively purchased, particularly if the amount of visual material is small.
B. Chronological Parameters: Active collecting follows the chronological frame of each regular course offering. No periods are excluded.
C. Geographical Parameters: Collection emphasis is on Western Europe; America, including African America; the Far East and Africa. No area is specifically excluded.
D. Dates of Publication: Publications of lasting scholarly value will be purchased regardless of imprint date. Variant editions will be acquired only if they have a substantial quantity of new information.
E. Exclusions: Materials on the practice of architecture, arms and armor, collectibles, lifestyle books, juvenile literature, how-to books and slides are not collected.
VI. Gifts in Kind
The Art Library gratefully accepts donations of materials. Gifts are evaluated according to the guidelines in this policy, in the Collection Profile and in the University Libraries Gift and Appraisal Policy.
VII. Duplicates
Duplicates will be purchased only if heavy usage requires it. Duplicates received as gifts may be accepted, but may also be declined due to space considerations.
VIII. Retention/Withdrawal
Materials which do not support the collection's stated purposed and objectives may be withdrawn. Materials will be identified for withdrawal as they come to the attention of the librarian in the normal course of work. Books withdrawn from the Art Library will be transferred to Ekstrom if they are in good condition and appropriate to the general collection.
IX. Reference
The Art Library acquires reference materials for fact finding such as biographical dictionaries, directories, dictionaries and encyclopedias. In addition, the library emphasizes the acquisition of indexes, abstract and bibliographies to insure proper access to the collection.
X. Electronic Resources
When possible, indexes are purchased in electronic format and delivered via the web. CD-ROMs that come with books are housed separately in the media section. Stand alone CD-ROMs are purchased if they provide substantial and significant information that cannot be found elsewhere.
XI. Theses and Dissertations
The Art Library holds one copy of theses and dissertations resulting from students research toward a degree at the University of Louisville.
XII. Damaged and Lost Materials
Damaged materials are repaired in-house when possible. Badly damaged materials are replaced if possible. Fragile or damaged materials that cannot be repaired or replaced are put in the rare book room.
Lost materials are replaced if their cost is not excessive relative to their value to the collection.
