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)
Portuguese is a particular specialty at Brown, and we have been expanding our collections to support this department. Originally, our collecting efforts were limited mostly to language and literature, but as the Department has expanded its own interests into history, we have done so with the collections as well. So this is one of those areas where the expenditures reported ($16,338) support more than language and literature collections. The title count of almost 8,000 titles, however, is only language and literature (PC and PQ classifications). About three years ago, the Library worked with the Department to analyze our holdings related to Portugal (and its former colonies) in all subjects, and came up with more than 40,000 titles in our collections. The Collection Development Librarian for Portuguese and Brazilian Studies is [recruitment underway].
The Library collections for Portuguese and Brazilian Studies include an estimated 20,000 titles, of which some 42 are currently-received serials, all housed in the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library. The interdisciplinary Department benefits from titles purchased in the areas of Latin American Studies, History, American Civilization, Political Science, History of Art and Architecture, and Women's Studies, among other fields of study. Also of primary importance to the Department is the John Carter Brown Library. The JCB Library amply supports research and investigation into Portugal's 15th and 16th centuries with its world class collections.
The table below shows the expenditures for the past three years
LIBRARY SUPPORT 1995/96 1996/97 1997/98 Firm Orders $ 7,443 $ 10,658 $ 13,356 Approval Plan 1,574 1,092 858 Serials 1,581 1,902 2,124 TOTAL SUPPORT $10,598 $ 13,658 $ 16,338 Three factors determine the overall character of the Portuguese and Brazilian collection at the Rockefeller Library. First, is the reality of funding by the Library. Second, is the difficulty in obtaining out of print Portuguese and Brazilian material. Lastly, there is the pressing need to meet the changing interests and scholarly directions taken by students and faculty. One relatively recent change is more interest in teaching history, in addition to the Department's original focus on language and literature. The Library has subsequently had to build its collections on the history of Portugal and all of its former colonies. Although some progress has been made, there is much more to do.
The strengths of the collection are in titles that date from the 15th through 18th centuries, located at the John Carter Brown Library (JCB), and modern titles that cover this time span, located at both the JCB and at the Rockefeller. Further strength is in 20th century Brazilian material, located at the Rockefeller. The creation of a Brazilian approval plan several years ago has significantly enhanced the 20th century Brazilian collection. Unfortunately, this level of strength is not currently found in Portuguese titles dating from the 19th and 20th centuries or for that matter, in Brazilian titles from the 19th century.
The Library and the Department have taken active steps to remedy such weaknesses. During the summer and fall of 1996, the Library and the Department cooperated in doing an assessment of the collection. The effort was led by Rita Gomes, a Portuguese historian and visiting professor. The Portuguese and Brazilian Department faculty are presently reviewing the lists generated by this project in order to prioritize future purchases.
A great aid in building the contemporary holdings of the collection has been the Department's strong record of donating books and serials to the Library. The Library now needs to focus energy on the older segments of the collection so it can match the vitality of the new.
William S. Monroe, Head, Collection Development
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