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Theatre Collection Development Policy

Overview of the Collection

This area of the collection supports the stagecraft aspect (directing, lighting, costume design, etc.) of the Theatre department, which offers B.A. and M.A. degrees in Theatre. The holdings are not limited to one discrete area of the library; many of the books are on the third and fourth floors, journals on the fourth floor, and DVDs/videos of theatrical performances on the second floor (within Music & Media). Plays are purchased with different funds, as part of the Modern Languages collection.

Scope of Coverage

Language: materials are primarily collected in English.

Geographical areas: the collection focuses on Western theatre but increasingly includes materials on Eastern traditions, such as the Japanese Kabuki.

Chronological periods: the Library focuses on current theatre materials, particularly in regard to DVDs of performances and acting technique. When possible, historical gaps in coverage are filled.

Types of Materials

Collected: reference works, including research guides, annotated bibliographies, encyclopedias, directories; periodicals; DVDs of theatrical styles and performances

Collected selectively: theatrical videos when DVDs are not available or out of print. Souvenir-like guides to shows and musicals. Dissertations and theses from other universities.

Not collected: pre-VHS formats of theatrical presentations

Selection tools

  • YBP/GOBI Direct
  • Choice reviews
  • Theatre journal reviews, such as TDR
  • Trade reviews, such as Playbill
  • Theatre faculty requests
  • Theatre student requests

Related subjects

  • Music
  • CTVA
  • Art
  • Dance
  • Chicano Studies
  • Fashion/FCS

Written by Lindsay Hansen Brown, Theatre Bibliographer.