|
|
Government
Introduction
Collection development policy review for Government IntroductionThe general policy for this subject is to collect 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 government 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 Economic History, International History, Philosophy and to the separate policy for Government and Inter-Governmental Publications. Back to the top Selection criteriaGeneral scopeAn outline is given below, but in general terms the Library collects material on political thought and theory; the institutions and practice of government and public administration; and public affairs. Both specialised and comparative studies are collected, concentrating on the modern and contemporary period, but including material which illustrates the origins and development of contemporary political life and conditions. The following is an outline of the subject scope and coverage of collecting policy for Government:
Political science. General and comparative works on the discipline are collected extensively. Back to the top Geographical area and languageGeographical scope is world wide, with particular focus on Britain, Europe, the United States, and Latin America, and South East Asia. For Europe, both Eastern and Western, and also for Latin America, material is acquired in the languages of those areas. For the Middle East, Asia, and Africa research materials for government are collected comprehensively in English, and selectively in other European languages. Works in non-European languages are not normally acquired and researchers are, therefore, referred to the specialised resources of other libraries, such as SOAS. Back to the top FormatNo distinction is made regarding format of material. The Library will therefore collect relevant material in print, microform, electronic format (eg CD-ROM), and video. Selected recordings of televised documentaries and political broadcasts have been made since 1991. 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. In addition to publications of The Stationery Office the Library also collects publications published directly by government departments, QUANGOS, and regulatory bodies. Much of this material is received on microfiche. 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. Materials of British local government are not comprehensively collected, but are acquired selectively, with the emphasis on planning documents. Particular attention is given to documents relating to London and the Library holds substantial collections from the GLC and its predecessor authorities and from the present LPAC. Back to the top Politics and government of Great BritainSource material for research on British politics is collected in depth, including pamphlets, leaflets and other ephemeral material. While it is recognised that some propaganda may cause offence to groups of users, the Library tries to collect opinion and propaganda representing all points of view no matter how extreme. Of note is a significant and on-going collection of election leaflets for British local and central government elections (chiefly since 1945, but including some older material). The Library's holdings are augmented by important manuscript collections, including private papers of individuals and the archives of political parties and pressure groups. Please see the Archives Division's collection policy. Back to the top Politics and government of the European UnionSource material for research on EU politics and government is collected in depth. The Library has had European Documentation Centre (EDC) status since 1964, but publications have been collected from the beginning of the European Coal and Steel Community in 1953. These resources are supported by some major microform archive collections, e.g. The Archives of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community; The Foundations of modern Europe: the archives of the European Movement. Back to the top Socialism /communismSome important collections are held relating to the history of socialism and communism, in all its expressions, and particularly in the former USSR and E. Europe. Of particular note are the Hutchinson, Russian and Schapiro collections. Back to the top Collection development policy review for GovernmentThis 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 cooperation with the Department of Government Reviewed 02/05 Back to the top |
About this page |
Comment on this page |
Privacy statement |
Disclaimer
Copyright ©