MSU Libraries' Latin American and Caribbean Studies collection supports the research and instructional needs of faculty and students associated with MSU’s Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS). With nearly 200 faculty representing 65 departments and programs across 20 colleges, a broad range of materials is selected for the collection, with a preponderance of social sciences and humanities resources. Materials on topics in Latin American agriculture, health, and natural history are acquired selectively.
Previous collecting practices created strong holdings in materials from and about Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, emphasizing business and trade, history, literature, and the arts, archaeology, anthropology, environmental studies, geography, political science, and sociology. Michigan State University Libraries’ current collecting practices aim to further strengthen the collection by increasing materials in Indigenous, Afro-Latinx, Central American, Women, and LGBTQ Studies to better reflect the population and ongoing scholarship in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Materials are acquired in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and various Indigenous and European languages.
This collection development policy works as a guide for Michigan State University Libraries and is intended to change and adapt to the changing field of Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Collection suggestions from students and faculty are welcome.