American Studies 2004
Purpose
The AUC American Studies Center seeks to promote a scholarly multidisciplinary approach to the study of the United States of America, designed to address the concerns and needs of Egypt and the region. The Center is strictly independent from the agendas any governments. Its mission, goals and activities are exclusively academic and intellectual. The AUC Libraries seek to support the range of instruction and research at the American Studies Center through the collection of appropriate print and digital resources, research assistance and instruction.
General Collection Guidelines
Being multi-disciplinary in nature many resources (monographs, serials, series, and online databases) of use to the American Studies Center are already acquired through other departmental and general library acquisitions. Funds allocated to American Studies will be used for materials specifically identified to support the coursework and research needs of the Center. These materials can include monographs, serials, series, electronic databases and primary sources.
Languages: Primary and secondary sources are predominantly in the English language, but Arabic and French and other language sources are also considered for purchase if relevant to the coursework and research needs
Chronology: 15th century to the present
Geography: Focused primarily on the United States, but may also include materials focused on other countries if the primary focus is a comparison with the United States
Publication Date: The acquisitions of American Studies materials are not limited to publication dates, for primary sources including documents are selected. Current literature on specific topics of interest is a focus in the selection process.
Treatment of Subject: The policy for building a comprehensive and well balanced collection in the field has to be determined in view of the courses taught in affiliation with the center and the identified research needs of the center affiliates.
Types of Materials: Monographs and primary sources such as government documents whether in print or micro-text, treaties, treatises, serials publications containing factual information such as newspapers (especially in microform editions) are a consideration for selection. The collection will also include specialized monographs, and monographic series on the special topics of interest and relevance to the coursework and research. The American Studies Center is consulted on the choice of journals and electronic resources. The Library does not cancel any subscription item before consulting with the Center's administrators and faculty.
Budget Allocation Formula: The American Studies Center is not one of the academic departments, and accordingly does not receive a departmental budget allocation based on the formula developed by the Library Advisory Committee. The Library has initially provided a temporary annual allocation to help develop needed resources. The Center, as part of its plan will attempt to establish an endowment fund to purchase additional library resources.
Coordination Information: The American Studies Library Liaison coordinates the process of selection of the monographs, serials and electronic titles recommended by the Center Directors and Faculty affiliates for acquisition.
May 4, 2005