Michigan State University

Collection Development Policy Statement: Art Library Collection

Analysis of the Subject Field

A. Chronology of the subject: emphases/restrictions

Chronology generally includes the ancient but not the prehistoric world, beginning with the early ancient era (Minoan, Mycenean and Archaic Greek art). Works on the art of ancient Egypt, Sumer, Assyria etc. are not collected to a great extent, nor are works on cave paintings and other prehistoric rock art.

Selection extends from the ancient to the Imperial Roman, Early Christian and Byzantine, Carolingian, Ottoman And Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical, Impressionist, and Postimpressionist periods to the movements of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

B. Languages of Resources Collected

Emphasis is on English language, followed by French, German and Italian, the traditional languages of the literature of art history. When a major work is published only in a foreign language, it will generally be selected. Translations of major works of which we have the original edition will be selected when possible given the perceived language abilities of the clientele. Works in non-Roman languages (Chinese, for example) will not be excluded if there is substantial visual information.

C. Geography of the subject: emphases/restrictions

Emphasis is on the history of European,  African, Asian, Latin American, Pacific and Native American art, reflective of an increasing curricular interest in non-western cultures. No geographic restrictions.

D. Format of the resources collected: No restrictions in format.  Images and associated data not available through licensed databases are typically collected, cataloged, and maintained by the Department of Art, Art History, and Design's Visual Resources Library, as part of the MSU MDID online image collection - see http://www.mdid.art.msu.edu   The addition of born digital and/or  research data is a potential step for this subject collection.  For guidelines see the Digital Research Data Collection Development Policy Statement (http://libguides.lib.msu.edu/c.php?g=139267) For possible depositories consult DataBib (http://databib.org)

E. Date of publication of resources collected: no restrictions, but emphasis will remain on current imprints.

F. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:  The Art collection reflects the history of visual culture from all geographic regions and time periods.  While the traditional canon of Western European art comprises a large portion of the collection, there is also a significant portion of the collection that represents African, Asian, Latin American, and Indigenous art.  The history of women and outsider artists is a collection strength.  While many of the materials in the Art collection are about a diverse array of artists, it is critical to acquire materials that are written by traditionally underrepresented artists and their artistic traditions. Current trends in art publishing are seeing these underrepresented artists brought to light, many for the first time, and collection of these materials will remain a priority. This conscious and deliberate selection of materials will continue in order to reflect a diversity of cultures, artists, and topics in the Art collection.