Bibliography & Information Science Collection Policy

Bibliography and Information Science

Clientele:
The general bibliography collections support research in most subject areas, although primary users are humanists.

Existing collection:
ECS Language: W
4 (bibliography)
3 (information science)

Cornell's collections are strongest in the history of books, the history of printing, and the history of bookselling and publishing. Emphasis is on European history until 1900, especially the book trade of the Middle Ages, and on 20th century U. S., British, and German publishing. All available national bibliographies and catalogs of major manuscript collections are acquired.

For the history of libraries, specialized periodicals and monographs have been collected. A special effort was made to receive all current publications of scholarly institutions. Works about academic research libraries were collected at a research level; other monographs were collected at a 3 level.

Current collection:
CCI Language: W
4 (bibliography)
3 (information science)

Traditional strengths are supported currently. Works on the history of bibliography, and anonyma and pseudonyma, are collected intensively. Current and retrospective national bibliographies are acquired, including those in new formats when funds permit. Works on cataloging, collection development, and reference are added regularly only if applicable to college and university libraries. Wide-ranging statistical compilations and any statistics pertaining to research libraries are collected in depth. Also covered by this fund are works about collecting books, and some general book review titles.

Geographical information: Coverage on national and trade bibliography is worldwide; the majority of monographs are U. S. or European in origin.

Exclusions: Textbooks; technical works on information science: most titles of primary interest to school and public libraries.

Notes: Most libraries at Cornell acquire occasional information science titles as needed to support their service programs. Technical aspects of information science are collected in the Engineering Library. The Cornell Library classifies subject bibliographies, as well as general and national bibliography, in the Z classification. All selectors are responsible for acquiring Z titles in their specific subject fields or geographical area.

The Law Library is responsible for covering the legal aspects of copyright and censorship. Olin Library collects works on freedom of the press and on the history of censorship and copyright.