Collection Policies

Chronological Guidelines: Current material will be emphasized. Classic works will be selectively acquired in order to offer historical perspective.

Geographical Guidelines: Domestic materials will be the emphasized over international coverage. International coverage will be emphasized only in those areas pertinent to the teaching and research concerns of faculty and graduate students. The most likely international coverage would be of northern Europe (Finland—management communication; Holland—organizational communication; and England—effects of mass media on culture). In the U.S. there is an emphasis on advertising.

Treatment of Subject: Materials on both the theoretical and applied approaches to the study of the field of Communication are broadly collected. Textbooks will not be purchased, with preference given instead to professional monographs emphasizing varying aspects of the discipline. However, textbooks will be considered for addition to the collection as gift items. Personal biographies that cover great communicators and their contribution will be collected. Historical accounts of the use of media and mass media in political campaigns will also be collected.

Types of Materials: Materials selected should include general monographs in all subject areas of emphasis. A core collection of scholarly journals is critical to the faculty and students. Periodical indexes and abstracts are also necessary.

Formats of Materials: Formats should include both print and electronic resources.

Date of Publication: Current materials published within the past three to five years will receive priority. In most cases older material will not be selected except to remedy weaknesses in the collection.

Other considerations:

• Distance Education: The Department will be offering a new graduate degree through Teletechnet in the field of Professional Communication. Materials need to be purchased to support this program.
•  Special Needs: Concern has been expressed over the dire need to add new journal titles because of rapid change and growth in this field. In addition, concern has been expressed over the future of Government Publications.