The Library has, historically, provided extensive support for the language and literature programs of the University, and our collections in languages and literatures form a very large part of the Library’s holdings. Measuring, alone, the portion of the collections which are classed in the Library of Congress Classification, the P classes (languages and literatures) hold more than 300,000 titles. This classification includes some disciplines (such as Classics, Egyptology, linguistics) which are not covered in this report, but most of this number is relevant. It should be noted that the title counts include books and serials on or about the particular languages, whether in that language or in English (or other languages). They do not reveal how many books we may have in the particular language (as these books may be on totally unrelated subjects, and not of interest to the program in question)
Our Italian collections, like those for the other Western European languages, are considerable. Like the French collections, however, we are probably not collecting at the same intensity that we once did, and the collections are old. We are probably not as strong on contemporary literature, and we have not always purchased reprints and newer editions of older works. Expenditures for Italian ($12,353) are the lowest of all the language programs except for Modern Greek, which is new (and smaller). But our collections seem to be adequate for the teaching and research that is done here.
Our holdings count of more than 19,000 titles does not include a significant collection acquired many years ago through a national cooperative project called the Farmington Plan. Through this plan we acquired some 6600 titles of contemporary Italian literature from about 1956 to 1971, but these were never fully cataloged. They are now in the online catalog, however (but not within the LC Classification). We also have significant resources in special collections at the John Hay Library, of which one example is the Chambers Dante Collection of approximately 1,700 volumes of scholarly editions from the 15th through the 19th century of Dante's works, commentaries, translations, and other reference, biographical, and historical works. The Collection Development Librarian for Italian Studies is [William Monroe (Box A, x32406, William_Monroe@brown.edu].
We have increased our expenditures in recent years, in an attempt to bring them up to the levels of some of the other European languages. The drop in expenditures for the past year was probably due to better exchange rates, rather than an attempt to purchase less. This is apparent because the drop was in the lines for firm orders and for serials, which would include all the Italian material. Approval plans, which provide for the automatic receipt of the publishing output of most North American trade and university presses, provide only a small portion of the Italian studies material, although it appears to be growing. Most of the books received via approvals are translations and secondary material in English.
The table below shows the expenditures for the past three years:
LIBRARY SUPPORT 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 Firm Orders $ 5,971 $ 7,396 $ 5,175 Approval Plan 849 1,309 1,058 Serials 7,294 7,492 6,120 TOTAL SUPPORT $14,114 $ 16,197 $ 12,353 These can be contrasted with those reported five years ago:.
LIBRARY SUPPORT 1992/93 Firm Orders $ 4,265 Approval Plan 699 Serials 7,171 TOTAL SUPPORT $12,105 Together with the monograph collection, the serials holdings of the Library do not accurately reflect the increase of interest in film studies, critical theory, and contemporary literature and essay. Prices of publications coupled with a skyrocketing publication output have made it impossible to keep pace with the amount of material available. Fortunately, prices are beginning to decrease, which should allow the Library to acquire more titles. However, Italian CD-ROM technology is now booming and is another area the Library will soon need to begin to collect. The Italian Studies faculty and the Library should review the list of serials we now receive, and make appropriate changes to reflect the current interests of the Department.
Overall, while the Italian Studies collection generally meets the needs of students and faculty, additional funds matched with the selective purchase of materials, would transform the collection into a progressively stronger one.
William S. Monroe, Head, Collection Development
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