Military studies collection policy
Nonny Schlotzhauer ● Social Sciences Library ● 2nd Floor Paterno Library ● nonny@psu.edu
PURPOSE AND PROGRAMMATIC INFORMATION
The Military Studies collection supports the teaching and research needs of all faculty
in the ROTC Departments; those History Department faculty that specialize in
military affairs; and to a lesser extent, the general and popular interests of the
students and the public at large. Each academic year the Air Force, Army and Naval
ROTC programs teach a combined 27 courses in preparing young men and women
for careers as commissioned officers in the United States armed forces. These
courses cover such areas as leadership, military organization, naval engineering, and
navigation. Currently, there are thirteen faculty members at the University Park
campus that the Military Studies specialist works with or contacts on a regular basis.
The Military Studies specialist works closely with other library faculty and teaching
faculty to assure that the most current and appropriate materials are purchased.
SCOPE OF COLLECTION
The collection focus for Military Studies can be roughly described as those materials
which cover the technique, psychology, practice and other phenomena which
constitute war and armed conflict. It emphasizes resources in three areas
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Aerospace Studies
Military Affairs
Naval Science
It draws upon many subjects and departments across the university, including but
not limited to:
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Engineering
History
Diplomacy
Law
Politics
Sociology
It includes resources that are available in both print and electronic formats.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES
I. Materials Collected
A. Languages Collected
Emphasis is placed on English language materials, with an occasional title purchased
in other languages.
B. Geographical Limits
Emphasis is placed on the United States and Europe due to faculty research
interests, but no region or country is excluded.
C. Chronological Limits
Emphasis is placed on persons and topics from the late 1800's to the present due to
faculty research interests, but material is collected relating to all time periods.
D. Major Publishers
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Ashgate
Naval Institute
Praeger
Rowman & Littlefield
Routledge
University Presses
E. Reference Works
Includes encyclopedia and dictionaries; directories; handbooks; and biographical works.
Examples include: Encyclopedia of American Military History, Dictionary of British
Military History, and An Encyclopedia of Naval History.
F. Periodicals
Currently, several dozen magazines and journals are acquired by the libraries which
deal with either Military or Naval Science. These periodicals are mixture of scholarly
(e.g., Journal of Military Ethics, SAIS Review of International Affairs), professional
(Marine Corps Gazette) and popular (Military History). New titles will be considered
for purchase depending on future fund allotments.
G. Government Documents
U.S. and international documents are currently selected by subject specialists in the
Social Sciences Library. Materials of interest include Department of Defense
publications, historical works relating to specific time periods (e.g. American Civil
War, World War I, World War II), and Congressional materials.
H. Video/DVD Collections
The Military Studies specialist has added many videos to the collection over the years
and continues to work with the faculty to strengthen this collection. Most of the
videos collected have been documentaries from such publishers as A&E, PBS, History
Channel, etc.
I. Generally Excluded
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Dissertations
Textbooks
Juvenile material
Pamphlets
J. Areas of Focus/Strength
All works on Military Science and Naval Science, including military organization,
tactics, strategy and training. Studies on weaponry, history, and security studies are
emphasized. Biographical and historical works on important personalities, battles
and campaigns are also collected in consultation with the history selector.
II. Electronic Resources
Several databases applicable to Military Studies are available via the University
Libraries, including such titles as: Aerospace Database, Air University Library Index
to Military Periodicals, Armed Conflict Database, Historical Abstracts, NTIS, and
Worldwide Political Science Abstracts.
COORDINATING AND COOPERATIVE EFFORTS
I. Related Funds
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Area
Docs
History
Polsc
SocRef
II. Campus Locations
5 other campuses (Abington, Altoona, Behrend, Berks, Hazelton) offer Army ROTC
courses. Therefore some duplication of important titles pertaining to military
instruction will occur.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Several sources are consulted for collection development including Choice, YBP, and
WorldCat. The Military Studies specialist also frequently visits local bookstore to
check out the latest titles, and reads incessantly to locate items of interest.
NS 04/07