Collection Policy: Anthropology
Introduction
The Library supports the instructional and research needs of faculty and students
working within the Department of Anthropology. The department was initially known as
the Department of Sociology and Anthropology but became a separate entity in 1973.
Over the years, Anthropology has offered a diverse selection of programs including a 3
year Bachelor of Arts, Taiga Studies (1973-1980); a 3 year Bachelor of Arts, Native
Studies (1979-1991); and a 3 year Bachelor of Arts, Boreal Studies (1981-1990). Bachelor
of Science degree programs were added in 1990 and programs included a 3 year BSc and
4 year HBSc in Geoarchaeology (1990-1993). The following year the science component
evolved into BSc and HBSc programs in Anthropology. Two additional alternatives, a 4
year BA non-direct entry and a 4 year BSc non-direct entry program were introduced in
1996.
The Department of Anthropology currently offers several programs leading to a
Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science, or
Master of Science interdisciplinary degree:

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology major (3 year)

Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology major (4 year non-direct entry program)

Honours Bachelor of Arts - Anthropology major (4 year)

Bachelor of Science - Anthropology major (3 year)

Bachelor of Science - Anthropology major (4 year)

Anthropology minor program

Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science or Honours Bachelor of Science in
Geoarchaeology

Interdisciplinary Honours Bachelor of Science in Applied bio-molecular Science

Interdisciplinary Master of Environmental Studies in Northern Environment and
Cultures

Concurrent programs with Education
The Chancellor Paterson Library is the main location for the anthropology collection.
The Education Library provides some support material in the area of introductory
anthropology and vertebrate fossils. The Lakehead Orillia campus library contains a
limited collection of monographs in support of anthropology research and students are
able to request additional print resources from Thunder bay when required.
Anthropology related material of a regional or northern focus can be found in the
Northern Studies Resource Centre (NSRC). Archaeology field work and excavations in
northern regions and material relating to Aboriginal peoples form an important part of
the Centre's collections.
2. History of the Collection
The curriculum within the Anthropology program covers diverse topics including:
human evolution, tracing human migrations, archaeology, geoarchaeology, forensic
anthropology, molecular anthropology, plagues and people, ecological and
environmental anthropology, ancient DNA, molecular paleopathology, and forensic and
archaeological microscopy. The Library’s print monograph collection is well-established
in the core areas of anthropology which have been taught for an extended period of
time. The collection has experienced recent growth in the contemporary subjects of
forensic medicine, DNA fingerprinting, and disease and epidemics. The print collection
is being supplemented by a growing collection of electronic books.
Acquisitions in recent years have focused on a wide scope of topics including the
following: philosophy and methodology of archaeology; prehistoric archaeology; social
and cultural anthropology; human evolution; paleontology; diseases; epidemics; and
forensic medicine. Publications relating to the Aboriginal people of Canada and
Indigenous populations worldwide have also been actively acquired.
Faculty research interests cover a broad spectrum of topics. The department has
strength in the specialized areas of medical anthropology, applied anthropology,
bioanthropology (e.g. Applied Bio-Molecular Anthropology Program) and archaeological
science (e.g. Geoarchaeology Program). The established core collection is evolving to
support research in these specialized areas of focus within the anthropology program.
3. Languages
English (or translation into English) is the primary language of the collection.
4. Chronological Guidelines
Emphasis is on the acquisition of current material. Current publications are emphasized
in both applied and theoretical areas. Retrospective material will be collected where
appropriate.
5. Geographical Guidelines
There are no geographical restrictions.
6. Types of Material
The Library actively collects monographs, journals, and reference materials. The Library
has been a depository library for federal government documents since 1967 and a
depository of Ontario government publications since 1972. Conference proceedings,
dissertations and theses, annual reports and other serial publications are acquired
selectively.
The predominant format for monographs is print although the Library is actively
building the electronic book collection. The predominant format for journals and
government documents is electronic. Material in other formats such as microform, CDROM and DVD are available in the collection but are not actively acquired.
7. Subject Areas/Levels
(4 levels: basic, initial study, advanced study, research) The subject organization below
follows the Library of Congress Classification Outline, Class C–Auxiliary Sciences of
History, E – History: America, Class G – Geography/ Maps/Anthropology/Recreation,
Class P – Language, Class Q – Science, Class R - Medicine.
Subject
LC Class
Current
Level
Target
Level
CB – History of Civilization
1. General works
CB 3-161
Initial
Advanced
2. Civilization and race
CB 195-281
Initial
Advanced
3. History of Civilization – by period
CB 305-430
Basic
Initial
Current
Level
Target
Level
CB 440-482
Basic
Initial
5. General Works.
CC 1 - 76
Initial
Advanced
6. Philosophy. Theory. Methodology.
CC 76.3 - 81
Initial
Advanced
7. Study & Teaching. Research. History of
Archaeology profession.
CC 83 – 130
Basic
Initial
8. Preservation, restoration & conservation
CC 135 – 176
of antiquities. Forgeries.
Basic
Initial
9. Misc topics. Includes bells and crosses
Basic
Basic
Subject
4. Relation to Special topics ex. geography
& civilization, technology, war &
civilization, etc
LC Class
CC – Archaeology
CC 200 - 960
E – History: America
10. Pre-Columbian America: Indians of
North America
E51 - 74
Advanced
Advanced
11. Indians of North America –
Archaeology, Antiquities
E 77 - 79
Advanced
Advanced
GF – Human Ecology. Anthropogeography
12. General works
GF 1 – 51
Initial
Initial
13. Environmental influences on
humans/Human influences on the
GF 53 - 98
Initial
Advanced
Subject
LC Class
Current
Level
Target
Level
Initial
Advanced
environment
14. Settlements – urban/rural by region or
country
GF 101 - 900
GN – Anthropology
15. General works. Methodology.
GN 1- 46
Advanced
Advanced
16. Physical anthropology. Somatology.
Human variation. Human evolution.
GN 49 - 298
Advanced
Advanced
17. Ethnology. Social & cultural
anthropology.
GN 301 – 674
Advanced
Advanced
18. Prehistoric archaeology
GN 700- 890
Advanced
Advanced
P 35 – 35.5
Basic
Initial
20. Quarternary geological time (from the
end ofthe Tertiary period through to the
present)
QE 696 - 699
Basic
Initial
21. Paleontology.
QE 701 - 760
Initial
Initial
22. Paleozoology.
QE 760.8 898.2
Initial
Initial
P – Language
19. Anthropological linguistics
Q – Science
LC Class
Current
Level
Target
Level
23. Paleobotany.
QE 901-996.5
Basic
Initial
24. Physical anthropology. Evolution
QH 359-425
Initial
Advanced
25. Medicine and society. Social medicine.
Medical sociology
RA 418 - 418.5
Initial
Advanced
26. Diseases (communicable and noninfectious) and public health
RA 643 - 645
Advanced
Advanced
27. Epidemics. Epidemiology. Quarantine
RA 648.5 - 767
Initial
Advanced
28. Forensic medicine. Includes forensic
genetics. DNA fingerprinting
RA 1001-1171
Initial
Advanced
Subject
R – Medicine
8. Interdisciplinary Activities
The Department of Anthropology offers three interdisciplinary programs which involve
collaboration with other departments. These include: a Geoarchaeology program which
involves Anthropology, Geography and Geology; a Bio-Molecular Science program
which involves Anthropology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics; and an
Environmental Studies in Northern Environments and Cultures program which involves
Anthropology and Geography. The Department of Anthropology also offers concurrent
programs with the Faculty of Education.
9. Strengths/Weaknesses
The monograph collection is particularly strong in the areas of ethnology, physical
anthropology, prehistoric archaeology, and Aboriginal archaeology and antiquities. The
collection also contains substantial holdings related to anthropogeography and
evolution (see section 7 for a breakdown by LC classification). The print collection is
strengthened by the inclusion of electronic books which are available in all anthropology
subject areas however are particularly abundant in relation to social and cultural
anthropology and Aboriginal antiquities. The monograph collection would benefit from
further growth in the paleosciences in support of the anthropology programs, and in the
areas of forensics and molecular research which would benefit the interdisciplinary
Applied Bio-Molecular Science program.
Anthropology and archaeology resources in the collections of the Northern Studies
Resource Centre contribute to the overall strength of the Library’s monograph
collection.
The journal collection for the Department of Anthropology is strong and has a selection
of journals in both print and electronic format. Print titles continue to be collected in a
variety of subject areas including archaeology, American antiquities, and ethnology. The
number of electronic journals available is significant and relates to a full range of
anthropology subject areas. The Library provides access to suites of electronic journals
through the Library’s participation in the Canadian Research Knowledge Network
(CRKN) and consortial subscriptions through the Ontario Council of University
Libraries (OCUL).
10. Thunder Bay and Regional Resources
The collection of the Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL) contains additional material at
the undergraduate level. TBPL resources are primarily of a theoretical nature with a
limited number of applied research publications.
11. Internet Resources
The Library maintains links on its website to online anthropology resources via the
electronic Anthropology subject guide (libguides.lakeheadu.ca/anthropology). Subject
guides with related links are also available for the programs involved in interdisciplinary
activities including Northern Studies; Indigenous Learning: and Environmental Studies.
12. Liaison:
The Department of Anthropology is responsible for selecting appropriate library
resources. A library representative from the Department of Anthropology liaises with a
designated Collections Development Librarian with respect to the Department’s library
budget, the acquisition process, consortia projects, and serials management. It is the
responsibility of the Collections Development Librarian to ensure that relevant
information regarding new publications is forwarded to the Department’s library
representative for consideration. The Library welcomes donations of books and
journals, which fall within its collection scope.
13. Weeding.
Weeding will be done on an ongoing basis to preserve the quality, currency and strength
of the collection.
____________________
___________________
Library Representative
Collection Development Librarian
Department of Anthropology
____________________
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