Collection Development Policy
Collection Development Policy Recommendations: Perseus Project
Jason D. Cox
Drexel University
School of Library and Information Sciences
INFO665 Collection Development
Professor C. Collins
07-13-2010
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Collection Development Policy
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Table of Contents
Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Mission Statement:....................................................................................................................... 3
Usage: ............................................................................................................................................ 4
The Greco-Roman Collection- ................................................................................................ 5
The Arabic Materials Collection – .......................................................................................... 5
The Germanic Materials Collection- ...................................................................................... 5
19th Century America Collection- ........................................................................................... 6
Renaissance Material Collection- .......................................................................................... 6
The Richmond Times Dispatch- ............................................................................................. 6
Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri- .............................................................................. 6
Recommendations, Responsibilities, and Selection: .............................................................. 7
Miscellaneous: .............................................................................................................................. 8
Complaint/ Censorship- ............................................................................................................... 8
Gifting Policies- ......................................................................................................................... 8
Deselection & Discard- ............................................................................................................ 9
Evaluation- ................................................................................................................................. 9
Bibliography................................................................................................................................. 10
Collection Development Policy
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Collection Development Policy Recommendations: Perseus Project
Overview
In 1985, Tufts University took over the Perseus Digital Library Project (Zepeda, 2009).
This project’s stated purpose was to “explore what would happen when libraries move
online”(Crane). Since then, the library has gone onto become one of the most complete sources
for classical literature from the ancient Greco-Roman world and has expanded to include image
galleries of artifacts from around the world (Lott, 2003). Today, the Perseus Digital Library also
houses a large collection of material from Arabic, Germanic and Renaissance sources as well as
a 19th Century American collection.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of this collection development policy is to support the Perseus Project’s
mission of “making the full record of humanity… as intellectually accessible as possible”
(Crane). The Perseus Project has been in development for over twenty-six years. The first phase
of the project focused on western basic texts from the Greek and Roman classical periods. The
second phase, logically introduced Arabic language texts from the same period, because many of
our Greek translations were made possible only because they had first been translated into
Arabic. Continuing development of these resources remains a high priority of the Perseus
Project.
Developing an understanding of the “Human” condition is a stated purpose of the project.
As such, development has moved into Renaissance and 19th century Western texts. The project
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hopes to continue developing their collection in this direction. To promote this, a digital image
archive of archaeological materials and art works has been added and will need continued
development as new materials become available (Zepeda, 2009).
Usage:
The Perseus Project is a non-profit enterprise located in the Department of the Classics at
Tufts University and dedicated to the study of Humanities. As such, the expected primary usage
of this facility is from “Classicists’ and scholars”. The site has seen more than just students and
faculties of humanities however. The administrators regularly receive emails from outside of
institutions of higher learning. Students from all age groups and all lifestyles have utilized the
materials available through the library (Zepeda, 2009).
Subject Areas and Formats:
From its inception, Perseus utilized SGML and XML markup languages. Today XML is
widely accepted as a standard for web development. The decision was made early on in the
development to provide only XML versions of all textual documents (Crane). The library has
developed a set of tools to help the user interface more deeply with the documents themselves.
These tools include maps and dictionaries that bring a richer depth to the documents themselves.
Because these tools were designed to work with XML documents, the library is currently limited
to that particular format for textual documents.
Image files provided by Bowdoin College Museum of Art, and Johns Hopkins University
Museum are in JPG format and are restricted to thumbnail only views. Images from Boston
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Museum of Fine Arts, however, are freely available to view in any size. They are also in JPG
format.
For the sake of standardization, all documents should remain in XML format and all
image files should be JPG. It is a safe bet that XML and JPG formats will remain standard
formats for some time to come.
The Greco-Roman CollectionAfter over a decade this collection is very mature. No collection however, is fully
complete and care should be taken to maintain vigilance in this regard. As new materials
become available, they should be added to the collection.
The Arabic Materials Collection –
Focus should be on fully developing this collection. Currently, it only has six documents
available and four of them are The Quran. Sumerian texts from early dates should be included.
An image gallery for this collection including images of illuminated texts and architecture should
be sought and appropriate permissions obtained. Maps need to be added.
The Germanic Materials CollectionThis collection needs developing. Several texts are available but no image files have been
obtainable to bolster the collection. Maps of places mentioned are also needed. This is in keeping
with the Mission Statement of the Perseus Project Digital Library; these materials enhance the
understanding of the documents.
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19th Century America CollectionThis collection is reaching maturity. Many primary and secondary sources are offered in
this collection. A well-developed map references the most mentioned places within the text.
Focus for this collection should be on image resources. There are many available images from
this period in American history. Continued acquisition of documents and images should be
pursued as they become available.
Renaissance Material CollectionThis collection is in its adolescence and needs more focus. Few text resources from this
period are provided within the collection. A well-defined map attached to this collection is
present but no image gallery is available. More focus on this collection is necessary as a means
of fully supporting the mission of the library.
The Richmond Times DispatchThis is a mature collection with map integration. This collection of newspaper articles
from the 1860’s needs only images to help enhance the understanding of the documents.
Fortunately, many images from this period of American history are available. Several should be
available free of charge via state and national archives, public museums, and historical societies.
Duke Databank of Documentary PapyriThis collection is maintained by a third party and is mirrored through this site, and is
therefore, outside the scope of this presentation.
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Recommendations, Responsibilities, and Selection:
The Digital Librarian on staff should be responsible for the selection and approval of all
materials added to the collections above. The position requires a MLS from an accredited school
making this the most qualified person to manage the developmental process on staff. The
librarian answers to the editorial staff in all matters.
The vision laid out in the mission statement of the Perseus is to make the “full record of
humanity …as intellectually accessible as possible.” As such, it is entirely possible that new
collections will be developed in the future. New acquisitions should be selected based on the
following criteria:
1.) Authenticity: Most of the documents contained in the collections are an unedited reproduction
of primary sources. Care should be taken to validate all materials obtained as authentic.
Secondary sources should be verifiable and proper credit displayed even if the material is in the
public domain.
2) Licensing and Copyright: Copyright should be clearly defined or public domain.
3) Format: All materials should meet the file format requirements set forth on page four of this
paper.
4.) Content: The resource should meet the stated goals of the Perseus Project Digital Library and
be of apparent research value.
5.) Added Value: The resource will provide sufficient added value to other materials within the
collection.
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Miscellaneous:
Complaint/ CensorshipA Complaint/Censorship Policy should be available in order to address any problems that
may arise. A sample censorship policy would look like this: “Members of the public wishing to
register a complaint concerning material within the collection must provide written details of the
title/author of the item they do not wish to have in the collection, and provide a statement as to
why they find the material objectionable. This matter will be reviewed by the library staff and
responded to”(Queensland, 2009). The library reserves the right to make the final decision in all
instances. It is just common sense to prepare in advance for a problem that most libraries face at
one time or another.
Gifting PoliciesMuch of the material available is on loan from other sources. This lends itself to a need
for a clearly defined gift policy. Included in such policy would be the authorized usage of
donated materials. For instance, many of the images are on loan from other universities,
museums and libraries. These items are limited in their use and special permissions must be
obtained to utilize them.
Individuals have provided many images. The subjects, dates and locations must be fully
chronicled to avoid error and maintain the integrity of the collection overall. These limits and
restrictions placed on these items should be completely spelled out and no material should be
accepted that does not provide added value to the collection.
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Deselection & DiscardBecause this library is entirely digital, little need exists to discard any material. Advances
in technology have made memory space much less expensive than in the past thus alleviating
fears of “running out” of file storage space. However, a plan needs to be in place to deal with
issues of licensing or replacing when the terms of a gift or loan expires.
EvaluationThe integrity of the institution requires that all materials be evaluated for accuracy and
authenticity prior to being accessioned into the special collections. This step can be incorporated
in the selection process.
Collection Development Policy
Bibliography
Crane, G. R. The Mission of Perseus, from http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/research
Crane, G. R. Perseus Digital Library Retrieved 7/13/2010, 2010, from
http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/about
Lott, J. B. (2003). World History Sources Retrieved 7/13/2010, 2010, from
http://chnm.gmu.edu/worldhistorysources/r/197/whm.html
Queensland, S. L. o. (2009). Collection Development Policy Template. Retrieved from
http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/144247/SLQ__Collection_dment_policy_template.pdf.
Zepeda, E. P. C. (2009). The Perseus Digital Library: A Case Study.
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