[Original posting on this topic is reproduced below; the response follows it.]
From: "Pierce, Linda" <pierce_at_gonzaga.edu>
Our history department is looking for core collection list that they could
use to determine gaps in our collection. We are an
undergraduate program in history with good holdings but collection
development has certainly not been uniform. Any input would be appreciated.
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(1) From: Steven Harris <SteHar_at_ngw.lib.usu.edu>
RE: history core collection, there are a couple of different approaches
you might take.
Use MAJOR BIBLIOGRAPHIES:
Guide to Historical Literature, 3rd ed., American Historical
Association, 1995.
Great bibliography on world history (not just American). This would
be the one the History department would endorse most, I suppose. It has
"nearly 27,000 annotated citations," but you could select only those
areas that were of interest, I suppose. It would be worth looking at
the 1936 and 1961 editions as well. The book reviews in "American
Historical Review" might help you out with post-1995 publications.
American Studies: An Annotated Bibliography, Cambridge, 1986 (v1-3),
1990 (sup)
Good for American focus. Stuff other than "history" included.
Books for College Libraries, 3rd ed., ALA, 1988.
Has sections on various aspects and areas of history. Kind of old--a
new edition is in preparation. More concise than AHA.
Readers Advisor, 14th ed., Bowker, 1994
Also has history section. Less extensive. Less scholarly.
Use HISTORY TEXTBOOKS with good bibliographies:
America's History, by James A. Henretta et al., 4th ed., Bedford,
2000
History of American Life, Mark C. Carnes, ed., Rev. ed., Scribner,
1996
World History, by Hugh Thomas, Rev. ed., HarperCollins, 1996
A World History, by William H. McNeill, Oxford, 1999
There are probably others out there that are better than these. Also
might check a few regional history textbooks. Find out what textbooks
the department is using in its survey courses.
Steven R. Harris
Collection Development Librarian
Utah State University
(435) 797-3861
Received on Thu Feb 10 2005 - 03:10:06 EST