Weeding the collection -- part three

So, at the end of Part Two, we stated that we do not intend to remove works pertinent to our intensive collection areas.  That just leads to the next question : "What are our intensive collection areas?"

This question makes it clear that weeding is just one part of the overall Collection Development process.  We have a written CD policy, including guidelines for the subject areas in which we will buy heavily and keep an in-depth collection of materials over time.  Some of our most intensive subject areas are :

• Biblical studies, analysis, criticism and interpretation
• Patristics, early and medieval church history
• Reformation history and theology
• Denominational history, especially Presbyterian and Reformed
• History and development of doctrine; systematic theology
• Modern theology and ethics
• Christian education of all ages
• Mission and World Christianity
• Doctrine and structure of the church; polity, creeds and confessions
• Worship and sacraments
• Pastoral ministry, counseling, homiletics

And what does it mean to collect intensively in a certain subject area, anyway?  What kind of materials are needed in a research-level collection?  Here is a simple summary :

• An extensive selection of general and specialized monographs, reference works and periodicals
• Appropriate non-print media in the subject area
• Pertinent foreign language materials (both ancient and modern languages)
• Complete works by major authors and extensive collections of lesser authors
• Defined access to an extensive selection of local or remotely-accessed electronic indexes and databases
• Archival holdings of rare books and unpublished manuscript materials

Note that one of the criteria in establishing an intensive collection is that older materials are systematically preserved to meet the needs of historical research.  That is why we don't discard things that seem old or obsolete if they can be used to demonstrate the history of a given field or discipline.

Paula