Collection Development Policy Statement: Jewish Studies

Chronological guidelines: Emphasis on contemporary studies and the modern period, though ancient history increasing collected due to faculty teaching and research.

Languages of resources collected: English language to support all levels of instruction. Israeli literature (belles-lettres, comics) is collected in Hebrew, and to a much lesser extent in other languages written in the State of Israel. French, Italian, German, and other languages are acquired to support research and teaching needs.

Geographic guidelines: United States and Israel emphasized.  Europe, North Africa and the Middle East 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, artists' books, haggadot, 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 Jewish Studies collection:

• Jewish history. Community history, demography, antisemitism, Zionism, and the Holocaust are included in this area. American Jewish and Israeli history, politics, and culture are emphasized, and the diversity of cultures and identities within American and Israeli society will receive special notice. Ancient history is collected as relates to faculty research and teaching, and to the Libraries' Warren Chamberlain Samaritan Collection.
• Israeli literature, including fiction, essays, poetry, plays, comic art, and film, as well as literary criticism is collected.  Current literature is collected and major works will be collected retrospectively.  Hebrew language learning materials are collected selectively.
• Judaism, broadly interpreted to include Jewish theology, rabbinic literature, Jewish classical texts and commentaries, liturgy and customs, religious law, mysticism, movements and sects, philosophy and ethics, and synagogue history, is collected selectively.
• Hebrew Bible including texts, commentaries, and criticism is collected selectively.

Major areas of overlap with other collections:

• Religion; History
• Middle Eastern Studies; Western European Studies; Russian and East European Studies; other Area 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 Jewish Studies an effort will be made to acquire materials about the diversity of cultures, traditions, and experiences of Israelis, including Mizrachi Jews, and of Jews in the United States, including African-American Jews. Jewish cultures and histories in many parts of the world are collected, with an emphasis on Greece including the minority Romaniote tradition. Materials about Jewish women and analyzing gender are collected.