Political Science

Purpose

The Collection Development policy is used as a guide to shape relevant collections and to ensure consistency in collection development. The decision to purchase library materials is primarily the responsibility of the Collections Librarian in consultation with faculty in the Department.

This policy has been developed by Linda Cracknell, the Collections Librarian, in cooperation with and endorsed by the Department Faculty Library Liaison and the Department Chair.

Focus

This update of an earlier collections policy reflects the changes in course emphasis in Political Science and changes in the Library of Congress classification. The policy aims to reflect the cross disciplinary aspects of the program at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

When purchasing, preference is given to materials that support the undergraduate program and the three fields at the MA level: Canadian Political Studies, Comparative Politics/International Relations, and Public Opinion and Electoral Studies.

Scope

• Language: works written or translated into English are preferred
• Place of Publication: priority is given to materials published in North America and the UK
• Dates of Publication: emphasis is placed on recently published works
• Chronological Period: emphasis is placed on the contemporary period (late 20th and 21st centuries)
• Geographical Areas: priority is given to works with a North American International focus, although materials relating to both western and non-western international policy processes are purchased
• Publishers: scholarly trade and university publishers are given priority with selected emphasis given to Government and NGO organizations; popular trade publishers are considered for academic-level material

Types, formats, and readership of materials collected

• Materials with advanced academic-level readership are selected
• Web-based formats for reference sources, journals and indexing sources are preferred. Print is considered for reason of cost, availability, expected use or long term access.
• Single copies of books in print formats are generally selected. Web-based formats are selected on a title by title basis, especially if the title is of interest to users at multiple Laurier campuses. Duplication of print across Laurier campuses is generally avoided.
• Types of materials not purchased include: textbooks, abridgements, study aids, limited editions, works by vanity presses, reprints and partial contents (eg. single issues of journals, electronic versions of single chapters of books). Non-scholarly publications are usually avoided.
• Government documents, proceedings of conferences, symposia, international congresses will be considered when they support the current program

Subjects collected and collecting priorities

Collecting priorities are categorized into 3 levels:

A - highest emphasis

The collection includes major published materials required to support the core teaching and research at the highest degree level offered by the Department.

B - secondary emphasis

The collection includes a selection of materials to complement the discipline as a whole, although it may not be a primary focus for courses.

C - selective emphasis

Materials, including reference materials and basic journals and indexes are collected to introduce and define an area.

Related programs and support

Consortial purchases with the TriUniversity Group of Libraries (Guelph, Waterloo, Laurier university libraries), with the Ontario Council of University Libraries, and on a national level, are pursued.