Collection Development Policy
German Language & Literature

PROGRAMS AND CLIENTELE SUPPORTED:

To support University teaching and research through the Master's Degree level. The collection should provide material that supports a comprehensive knowledge of the literary and cultural achievements and articulation of German speaking areas, and the literature of these areas. The collection also endeavors to support the research interests of the departments full-time faculty members.

SUBJECT LIAISON:

Robert L. Kusmer
Cataloging Department
123B Hesburgh Library
(574) 631-8649
Kusmer.1@nd.edu
FAX: (574) 631-6772

GENERAL COLLECTING GUIDELINES:

Languages: German is the primary language of the collection both primary and secondary works. Secondary works are acquired in English as are translations of primary works into English. Translations and secondary works in other European languages are acquired very sparingly.

Chronological: From the beginning to the present, with increasing interest and emphasis from the sixteenth century and especially the nineteenth and twentieth centuries up to the present.

Geographical: Primarily the literature of the unified Germany, the former Federal Republic of Germany and the former German Democratic Republic, Austria, German-speaking Switzerland and German exile literature. The literatures of Scandinavia and the Netherlands are primarily collected in English translations.

Treatment of Subject: History and criticism of German literature within the above purchased as are biographies of authors. Current and retrospective works are purchased. Textbooks, children's books, and popular treatment of literature are not purchased.

Types of material: Monographs and general reference works, handbooks and bibliographic tools are acquired, as are publications of symposia and congresses. European and U.S. dissertations are purchased selectively to support specific teaching and research interests. Representative journals and serials are purchased. Films, recordings & videos will be purchased if requested to support instructional programs.

COORDINATION INFORMATION:

Translations into English of primary texts are purchased on English language and literature funds. Secondary sources in English are referred to the English Language and Literature librarian if the scope of the title is comaparative in nature. Materials dealing with the Medieval period are referred to the Medieval Institute librarian.

COLLECTING LEVELS:

LC Class	Subject	Collecting Level	Language
PT 1021	German Lit. Folklore & Folk Lit.	1	Y
PT 1101-1485	Collection of German Literature	2	Y
PT 1501-1696	German Literature: 1050-1450/1500	2	Y
PT 1701-1798	German Literature: 1500-ca.1700	1	Y
PT 1799-2592	German Literature: 1700-ca.1860/70	3	Y
PT 2600-2659	German Literature: 1860/70-1960	3	Y
PT 2660-2688	German Literature: 1961-	3	Y
PT 3701-4899	Literature: provincial, local, colonial	3	Y

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The University Libraries subscribe to a form selection plan with Otto Harrassowitz. Included in form selections are all categories of German language and literature, criticism and texts. The Medieval Institute also contributes to the German language and literature collection. In addition, the general English language approval plan with Blackwell North America contributes monographs of criticism of German language and literature as well as translations of primary texts. The Blackwell North America Approval Plan titles are checked bi-weekly by the German Language and Literature liaison.

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