Thomas J. Watson Library

March, 2011

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. DEFINITION OF THE COLLECTION
II. DEFINITION OF AUDIENCE
III. COLLECTING GUIDELINES
IV. CATEGORIES AND FORMATS
V. SUBJECT SCOPE
VI. RELATION TO OTHER LIBRARY RESOURCES
VII. WITHDRAWAL
VIII. REPLACEMENT AND DESIDERATA

I. DEFINITION OF THE COLLECTION

Nolen Library, located in the Uris Center for Education of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, acquires and provides access to a core collection of publications on the history of art. The Library’s holdings reflect the Museum’s encyclopedic collections; primarily European and American art, including sculpture, drawing and decorative arts. There are also holdings in art of the ancient world, Asia, Islamic, Arab lands, Africa, Oceania and the Americas; costume, photography, arms and armor, and photography.

The Library’s holdings of books, DVDs, videos, periodicals, and other materials include a children’s picture book collection and materials for teachers, including teacher packets published by the Museum, curriculum guides, and other publications designed for classroom use. As an integrated member of the Museum Libraries, Nolen provides access to a broad range of online resources, including important works of reference and full-text journals.

Particular categories of materials collected include: monographs on fine and decorative arts, monographs on artists; MMA collection catalogs; exhibition catalogs; periodicals; reference books; audiovisual materials and electronic resources.

II. DEFINITION OF AUDIENCE

The primary mission of Nolen Library is to support learning about the Museum’s collections and the broader history of art for Museum staff and visitors of all ages. Nolen Library serves three specialized target audiences: educators, children 8-12, and pre-readers and young children. Nolen Library supports and develops programs in collaboration with other museum departments.

III. COLLECTING GUIDELINES

Chronological Scope
There are no chronological restrictions.

Geographic Scope
The Library reflects the encyclopedic scope of the Museum’s collections, including material from all cultures.

Gifts
Nolen Library accepts gifts and donations when no conditions or restrictions are attached. Gifts to the collection are added using the same criteria as purchased materials. Gifts are accepted with the understanding that the Library has complete discretion over the option to retain. Nolen does not participate in exchange programs. No appraisals are made for any purpose.

Imprint
The Library collects in-print publications. Antiquarian materials are not collected.

Languages and Translations
Our selections are chiefly English language. To support specific programs or exhibitions, publications in other languages may be acquired.

Multiple copies
In most instances the Library acquires only one copy of any given publication. Added copies of selected titles may be acquired where heavy use is indicated.

New Editions and Reprints
New editions are acquired when they reflect significant changes and additions in comparison to the previous edition(s). The Library acquires reprints only if the title is directly relates to the MMA collection or exhibitions.

IV. CATEGORIES AND FORMATS

Monographs
The Library acquires current monographic titles within the parameters of its collecting scope. Books are selected for a combination of scholarly content, presentation, appropriate scholarly apparatus and format.

Collection Catalogs
Nolen Library acquires catalogs of private collections only when it is the best resource available on a given subject or if part of an MMA exhibition.

Exhibition Catalogs
Exhibition catalogs from other museums, art galleries, foundations and other venues are collected if germane to the programs and exhibitions of the MMA.

Periodicals
The Library subscribes to a core group of print titles, including annuals and yearbooks that conform to the stated scope of the collection policy. Nolen Library provides access to journals in electronic format via Watsonline.

Reference Materials
The reference collection of research tools and basic materials that complement the core collection are located near the reference desk. Additional handbooks and dictionaries are integrated with their subjects e.g., mythology, decorative arts.

Art reference materials collected may include:
o Art reference books
o Biographical reference tools on artists
o MMA Collections

General reference materials collected may include:
o Biographical dictionaries and encyclopedias
o Atlases
o Foreign language dictionaries

Electronic Resources
Nolen Library provides access to electronic resources via Watsonline and the Library portal. CD-ROMs are collected highly selectively, although they are added to the collection when they accompany a printed publication. DVDs are collected within scope. Other video formats are maintained but not collected.

Special Collections
Nolen Library provides access to uncataloged transcripts of the Antenna Audio-guide Museum tours.

Exclusions
Nolen Library does not actively collect archives, artists’ books, dissertations, ephemera, photographic collections, manuscripts, materials on numismatics, travel guidebooks, oeuvre catalogs, catalogues raisonnés and corpora, auction and sales catalogs, Festschriften, slides or microforms. Off prints, pamphlets or facsimiles are not collected unless published by the MMA, directly related to MMA collections and programs, written or edited by MMA staff.

SUBJECT SCOPE

Nolen Library’s holdings reflect the Museum’s encyclopedic collections. Publications on art in all media, for a range of reading levels, including all areas of the decorative arts may be included.

The following topics are collected:

o African Art
o American art: painting, sculpture, decorative arts and interior decoration
o Ancient Near East art and archeology
o Arms and armor
o Asian art
o Costume
o Egyptian art and archeology
o European art (Renaissance, Baroque, and 18th century): painting, sculpture, decorative arts, and graphic arts
o Greek and Roman art and archeology
o Islamic art
o Medieval art
o Musical instruments worldwide
o Nineteenth-century, modern and contemporary art
o Oceanic Art
o Photography
o Post-contact Americas

Publications on all areas of the decorative arts and design are collected, including ceramics, glass, furniture, jewelry, metalwork, textiles and woodwork. Archaeological publications are collected as they relate to objects in the Museum.

The following subjects are collected selectively: museology and museum studies; gardens and garden history; architecture, design, folk art, and conservation or
subjects that pertain to the collecting or creation of art. Peripheral areas such as social history, biography, literature, performing arts and religion are added on a highly selective basis. Nolen collects costume and fashion as it relates to iconography, style or interdisciplinary approaches to the study of objects in the Museum’s collection. Items of a purely scientific nature are generally not added.

V. RELATION TO OTHER LIBRARY RESOURCES
As an integrated member of The Metropolitan Museum of Art Libraries, Nolen depends on Thomas J. Watson Library as the library of record for the Museum.
Nolen does not participate directly in Interlibrary Services.

VI. WITHDRAWAL
Decisions to withdraw specific items, like decisions to acquire new titles, are made within the context of the total collection policy, in order to maintain overall integrity of the collection. Weeding is essential for Nolen to maintain a relevant and attractive collection. New materials supersede the worn and out-dated; new editions supersede previous editions and earlier editions are withdrawn.
Considerations for withdrawing materials:
o Materials outside the scope of the library’s current collection development policy
o Excess number of duplicate copies
o Physical condition is beyond repair
o Obsolete materials
o Unused materials which have no historical or lasting value

VIII: REPLACEMENT
Before printed material which has been lost or damaged is considered for replacement, a thorough search is done. The criteria to be considered for replacement include demand whether there is alternative coverage of the topic in the existing collection and availability of an electronic version. Replacement copies may be ordered for badly damaged books when conservation is determined not to be appropriate.