Collection Development Policy Statement: Muslim Studies and Middle East Studies

Chronological guidelines: Emphasis on contemporary studies and the modern period.

Languages of resources collected: English language to support all levels of instruction. Arabic literature from across the Arab world (belles-lettres, comics) is collected in English translation and beginning in 2014, selectively in Arabic.  Material in other languages may be acquired to support research needs; Turkish materials are acquired to support faculty research and teaching. 

Geographic guidelines: Middle East (Turkey-Afghanistan) and United States are emphasized.   Egypt and North Africa are primarily collected by MSU’s African Studies librarians. Europe and Asia are collected selectively, with other geographic locations covered as they relate to faculty interest.

Format guidelines: Monographs are collected primarily in print, with edited works, serials and reference works primarily electronic. DVDs, streaming video, comic books/graphic novels, and maps are collected. Archival materials (original and digitized) may be collected.  Dissertations and theses from other institutions are generally not collected.

Numeric datasets and statistical sources may be collected. Faculty-produced data may be collected. Availability of digital text for computational analysis, as well as for access by persons with disabilities, will be considered when acquiring resources for the library. 

 Major areas of the Muslim and Middle East studies collections:

• Modern and contemporary history, politics, ethnography, literature and film are emphasized.
• Arabic literature, including fiction, essays, poetry, plays, comic art, and film is collected.  Arabic learning materials are collected.
• Islamic Studies sources are collected selectively.

Major areas of overlap with other collections:

• Religion; History, Political Science
• European Studies; Russian and East European Studies; African Studies, Asian Studies
• Art and Music; Maps; Special Collections

Purchase decisions are made in consultation with these selectors when questions of collecting responsibilities arise.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Within Muslim Studies an effort will be made to acquire materials about the diversity of cultures, traditions, and experiences in the Muslim world, as well as about the diversity of Muslims in the United States, such as African-American Muslims and Muslims from many different parts of the world. Materials about Muslim women and analyzing gender are collected. Within Middle East Studies, an effort is made to collect works about minority cultures and religions including Christians are collected. Books, films and archival materials representing Palestinian perspectives are collected.