Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender
Collection Development Policy

Purpose of the Collection Policy

The purpose of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender collection development policy is to serve as a guideline for the acquisition of library materials related to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies.

Uses of the Collection

Formally called the Andelson Collection, the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Collection primarily supports the teaching curriculum and research activity of faculty and students related to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies coming from a range of disciplines such as Asian American Studies, Film Studies, Literature, Political Science, Sociology, Women's Studies etc. As a consequence of the interdisciplinary nature of the area, collaboration occurs among different collection specialists. The primary users of the materials represent a cross section of faculty and students from the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Scope and Coverage

Chronological Limits: Titles purchased are mainly current publications. However, older materials are also purchased as requested or deemed necessary. Emphasis is placed on materials from the Nineteenth to the Twenty-First Century.

Geographical Areas: All geographical areas are covered.

Types of Materials

• Reference Works.    These include encyclopedias and dictionaries; directories, handbooks, and biographical dictionaries as well as selected bibliographies. Indexes and abstracts in various formats i.e. print and electronic. Reference materials are often purchased in collaboration with the Reference Librarian as well as other subject collectors for shared costs.

• Academic and Trade Publications.    These include scholarly monographs, anthologies, and edited works; fiction, creative writing, and works on media and popular culture. Dissertations and theses are selectively purchased and when requested.

• Small and Alternative Press.    Titles from these presses are reviewed and collected, especially from publishers not covered under the library's U.S. approval plan.

• Periodicals.    Journals and magazines consist the main portion serial collection. New subscriptions are considered after careful consideration and consultation with faculty members.

• Microfiche and Microfilm.    Titles that come in the these forms are also collected after careful review and consultation with faculty members. Expensive sets are considered and often purchased collectively through various consortial groups or other subject specialists.

• Audio-Visual.    Videos are purchased when requested faculty or staff of the University.

• Electronic Resources.    Relevant online databases are purchased via CDL or collectively among several U.C. Libraries.

• Miscellany.    Although materials such as pamphlets, newsletters, and other ephemeral items are not regularly collected some of these items could be referred to special collections for consideration.