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Social Policy
Introduction Archives and Special collections Collection development policy review for Social Policy IntroductionCollection policy for Social Policy falls right across the core areas of the Library's interest, i.e. economics, politics, and social studies. Within the core areas collection is to research level, with the intention of as comprehensive a coverage as resources allow. Research level is defined as one where independent research with the published sources can be pursued. Exclusions and qualifications to this policy are mentioned below and in the General Policy Statement: see Principles of collection policy and Criteria for selection. The policy for developing the collections in Social Policy and Administration needs to be seen within the context of the complete acquisitions policy. The interdisciplinary nature of the social sciences and its publications means that subject boundaries cannot always be easily determined and described in isolation. Please refer particularly to Economics, Government, Social Psychology, Sociology and Official Publications. Back to the top Selection criteriaGeneral scopeAn outline is given below, but in general terms the Library collects material on the economics, politics, and administration of social policy; and the investigation and resolution of social problems. The following is an outline of the subject scope and coverage of collecting policy for Social Policy and Administration:
Social and political theory Back to the top Geographical area and languageSocial policy in Great Britain and the European Union as a whole is a particular focus for collection to research level. Material on individual European countries, the United States, Latin America, developing countries and other areas is collected more selectively. For Europe, both Eastern and Western, and also for Latin America, material is acquired in the languages of those areas . Works in non-European languages are not normally acquired. Back to the top FormatNo distinction is made regarding format of material. The Library will therefore collect relevant material in print, microform, video, electronic format (eg CD-ROM), and provide access to remotely held datasets. Back to the top Collection strengthsOfficial publicationsThe Library's collections of governmental and intergovernmental publications are a major source of primary research material in this area. Official publications are therefore collected extensively for all countries of the world to the same depth as other source materials, and by subject on the same principles as commercially published books and periodicals. Coverage of United Kingdom official publications is of paramount importance. An exchange agreement with the United States ensures an extensive collection of federal government publications. For other countries we aim at completeness in those central government publications which contain economic or social data or illustrate the processes of government and public administration. State/provincial and local government publications are not collected extensively. Publications of intergovernmental organisations are collected on the same principles as governmental publications with the addition that depository and exchange agreements with the United Nations, European Communities, Organization of American States, mean that publications are acquired beyond our normal subject coverage. See also the Collection Development Policy for Official Publications. Back to the top Archives and Special collectionsArchivesAmong the most important archive collections relating to social policy and administration are the following: Beveridge, William Henry. Personal papers, including Beveridge reports, 1903-1923, 1934-1961 Please see the Archives Division's collection policy. Back to the top Special collections - PamphletsThe Library has from the beginning collected pamphlet material relating to social policy. The historically rich collection covers welfare initiatives and policy from the 18th century Poor Laws to the present day. For more detail refer to the published guide to Social Policy pamphlets. The ongoing collection of pamphlets and ephemera is core to the Library's collection policy. Back to the top Collection development policy review for Social Policy and AdministrationThis collection development policy will be reviewed on a regular basis in the light of the following: developments in teaching, the interests of the Department and other departments in the School, and relationships with other libraries with whom collaborative arrangements exist. Such reviews will be conducted in co-operation with the Department of Social Policy. Reviewed 02/05 Back to the top |
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