National Library of Australia


PART 2: THE REPORT

Section 1: Line Comparison Report from the Australian Conspectus Database

Arrangement of Conspectus

Conspectus is arranged in an hierarchical order, from broad Divisions, Categories, and to specific Subjects. Each Division, Category and Subject is assigned an alphanumeric Line number which is linked to either a Dewey or a Library of Congress call number. In the Music Division, the prefixes MUD (Dewey) and MUS (LC) are used to denote MUSIC. Names of categories and subjects vary between Dewey and Library of Congress classification schemes. Those used in the Dewey worksheets are based on the 20th edition of the Dewey Schedules and Tables; those used in the Library of Congress worksheets are based on LC Subject descriptors.

Line Comparison Report

The following Line comparison report is taken from assessment data contributed to the Australian Conspectus Database by libraries who have completed assessment of their music collection. Only records which include a collecting Level of 3 (Intermediate) or above have been included in the report.

The report is divided into two sections:

PART 1: Libraries using Dewey Decimal Classification;
PART 2: Libraries using Library of Congress Classification; and

Part 1 and Part 2 of the report consist of the following components:

Section 2: Collection Strengths in Music collections in Australian Libraries

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

National Library of Australia
Source: Draft Collection Development Policy for Australian Material, 1994

The National Library of Australia's current collection of Australian printed music scores and sheet music is assessed at Level 5 (Comprehensive). Material in this category is subject to legal deposit. All types of music (including concert, sacred, popular, jazz and traditional (both mainstream and ethnic)) and all level of music including children's, didactic and theoretical works are collected.

Overseas publications with an Australian association that fall into the following categories, are also collected:

The Library does not acquire recorded music apart from that which is included in multimedia kits or acquired through the oral history program.

The Library's strength in published Australian music lies in nineteenth century material and music published from 1970 onwards. The gap in the collection from 1900 to 1970 is being filled gradually by the retrospective acquisition of music, predominantly sheet music.

The Australian music collection includes several significant formed collections such as the Australian Music Association collection of Australian compositions promoted and performed in London in 1950s-1970s; the Don Banks personal collection of scores, music, recordings, and personal papers; the Beggs Collection of popular songs published in Australia 1920-80s; the music component of the Ferguson Collection; Isaac Nathan's works; the Dudley Glass Collection of manuscript scores and printed music; the Lewis Collection of popular dance music of the 1940s-60s; the Snell Collection of pictorial sheet music and the JC Williamson Collection of performance materials of operas, musical comedies and dramas.

Australian National University, Institute Of The Arts Library
Source: Collection Development Policy, 1993

Current Collection Level

The Institute of the Arts Library, Australian National University, has assessed the current collection of music library materials at Level 3 (Intermediate).

The collection includes a wide range of basic works in appropriate formats, the fundamental reference sources and bibliographical works, a significant number of classic retrospective materials, complete collections of the works of more important authors, artists and composers, selections from the works of secondary writers, a selection of representative journals and access to appropriate databases. Databases and software on CD-ROM in music research are purchased for the music collection.

The collection includes serials on music theory, music history and other specialist music studies, technical and computer information to support the music and art and technology programs, and on specialist music.

Sound recordings for western and non-western art music including jazz traditions are contained in the collection. In general the Library gives priority to collecting sound recordings of works not held in the Library over the acquisition of sound recordings of works by different performers that are already held. High priority is given to the acquisition of companion scores and sound recordings. Commercial recordings of staff and student performances and commercial recordings of staff and students compositions are also acquired.

Music scores, performing editions and parts are obtained in the following areas:

Scores and parts of reputable publishers and urtext editions ["a term applied to a modern printed edition of earlier (usually pre-1900) music in which the aim is professed to present an exact text without editorial additions or alterations"] [1] are selected as a first priority if available. Study scores are purchased in either miniature or large formats.

The Library aims to develop a collection of performance sets of orchestral repertoire and will generally not purchase performance sets of orchestral and choral works if they are available for loan from another institution.

Acquisition Commitment and Goal Level

The Institute of the Arts as part of the Australian National University is changing its profile to encompass post-graduate degrees including MA (Research Course) and PhD. The Library must now selectively aim at Collection Level 4 (Research Level) and provide access to information for research purposes.

NEW SOUTH WALES

University of New South Wales
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

The current collection of dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances (DDC 780.3), vocal music for dramatic vocal forms and opera (DDC 782.1) has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) and will remain at this Level. There is a good reference collection.

Material on the philosophy and theory of music (DDC 780.1), together with music serial publications (DDC 780.5), are currently being acquired at Level 2 (Basic information) with the aim of bringing the collection to Level 3 (Intermediate).

An Acquisition Commitment of Level 1 (Minimal) and a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate) has been assigned to material relating to education, research, performances, and related topics (DDC 780.7).

State Library of New South Wales
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

The general music collection at the State Library of New South Wales includes material on appreciation, history and development, musical theory, structure harmony, melody, musical forms, composition and performance and types of music eg opera, rock, folk. Sheet music published in Australia and music written about Australians or about Australia is also collected. Musical instruments and their music are included in the collection. The current collection has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) and will continue to be acquired at this Level.

The current collection of music material relating to New South Wales music is assessed at Level 4 (Research) and will continue to be acquired at this Level.

Sydney Opera House Trust, Performing Arts Museum
Source: Collection Services Plan, 1992

The Sydney Opera House is chiefly concerned with the performing arts, particularly live theatre and classical music, including opera and dance. The collection is acquired and organised into three collections. Two of these collections contain music related library materials (DDC 780-789), which have been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) or higher:

The Sydney Opera House Collection contains information and materials relating to the Sydney Opera House, its design, construction, management and performance history. Material in the collection include monographs, serials, music scores, videorecordings, sound recordings, and manuscripts. It has been assessed at Level 5 (Comprehensive).

The Performing arts reference collection contains information and images on the performing arts to support information and exhibition services. Material in the collection includes monographs, serials, music scores, audio-visual material. The collection of music monographs and serials is assessed at Level 4 (Research) for Australian material and Level 3 (Intermediate) for foreign material. Other music material is acquired and organised below Level 3 (Intermediate).

QUEENSLAND

University of Queensland
Source: Draft Collection Development Policy for Music and Australian Conspectus Database

Music materials are collected to support the Department of Music for teaching, performance and research. The collection comprises monographs, periodicals, printed music, sound and video recordings, CD-ROMs and multimedia.

The overall assessment of material in the existing collection of music materials at the University of Queensland Library is Level 3 (Intermediate) and material will continue to be acquired at this Level.

General works on music, collections of musical sources and collected works of individual composers (LC M2-M3.1) have been assessed as having a Current Collection Level and an Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate).

A Current Collection of Level 3 (Intermediate) has been assigned to the existing collection of instrumental music (LC M5-M1160). This includes music for solo instruments, duets and chamber ensemble, and orchestra. Material will continue to be acquired for this part of the music collection at Level 3 (Intermediate).

Vocal music materials (LC M1495-M5000) have been assessed at a Current Collection Level and Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate). Collections of sacred and secular vocal music, operas, incidental music, ballets, choruses, songs, solo cantatas and Australian music, are included in this part of the collection.

The existing collection of material relating to the literature of music, located in the ML division of the Library of Congress Classification scheme, has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) with the exception of librettos (LC ML47-ML64), musical iconography (LC ML86-ML89), vocal and choral music (LC ML1400-1460, ML1500-1554), which is assessed at Level 2 (Basic information). The Acquisitions Commitment for material relating to the literature of music is Level 3 (Intermediate) apart from dictionaries, encyclopedias, catalogues, indexes, bibliographies and material on the history and criticism of Australian music. This material has been assigned and Acquisition Commitment of Level 4 (Research).

A Current Collection Level of 3 (Intermediate) has been assigned to the area of music instruction and study (LC MT1-MT893). Sound recordings of standard concert repertory, post 1945 Western art music, music from East Asia (mainly China, Japan, and Korea), Australia and Oceania have been assigned a Current Collection Level and Acquisition Commitment of 3 (Intermediate). The current collection of sound recordings of pedagogical music (including multimedia) has been assessed at Level 2 (Basic information) and will be acquired at Level 3 (Intermediate).

Queensland University of Technology
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

The music collection at the Queensland University of Technology consists of monographs, serials, audio visual material, and music scores. The existing collection has been assessed at between Level 1 (Minimal) and Level 3 (Intermediate). Material for the collection is being acquired at a Level 3 (Intermediate). Assessment levels for individual topics within the Music Division are detailed below.

The existing collection of materials on the philosophy and theory of music (DDC 780.1), education, research, performance and related topics (DDC 780.7), traditions of music (DDC 781.6), general principles, musical forms and instruments (DDC 784.1), and full (symphony) and chamber orchestras (DDC 784.2-.3) has been assessed at level 3 (Intermediate) and will continue to be acquired at this Level.

The current collection of materials relating to general music (DDC 780), dictionaries, encyclopedias and concordances of music (DDC 780.3), special topics of general applicability (DDC 780.4), historical, geographical and persons treatment of music (DDC 780.9), kinds of music (DDC 781.5), musical forms (DDC 781.8), music for mixed voices (DDC 782.5), string orchestras and ensembles (DDC 84.7, 785.7), and violins and their music (DDC 787.2) has been assessed at Level 2 (Basic Information) and will acquired at Level 3 (Intermediate).

Materials in the music collection at the Queensland University of Technology relating to the miscellany of music (DDC 780.2), organisations and management (DDC 780.6), music for light orchestra (DDC 784.4), music for ensembles by size (DDC 785.1), and pianos and their music (786.2), have been assessed as having a Current Collecting Level of 1 (Minimal) and an Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate).

The Queensland University of Technology is acquiring serial publications about music at Level 3 (Intermediate). The existing collection of this material has been assessed as Level 0 (Out of Scope).

Two areas of the collection will not be acquired at Level 3 (Intermediate). These are material relating to nondramatic vocal forms of music (DDC 782.2) and music for other bowed instruments, viols (DDC 787.6). This material has been assessed at a Current Collection Level of 3 (Intermediate) and an Acquisition Commitment of 1 (Minimal) or 0 (Out of scope).

University of Southern Queensland
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

At the University of Southern Queensland, material in the existing collection which relates to the historical, geographical and persons treatment of music is assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) which is also the Goal Level for the collection. Material in the music collection relating to education, research, performances and related topics (DDC 780.7), and history and description of music with respect to kinds of persons (DDC 788.8) will be acquired to bring the collection to a Level 3 (Intermediate) from Level 1 (Minimal).

VICTORIA

Deakin University
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

At Deakin University a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate) has been set for designated subjects areas within the music collection which are currently assessed as having a Current Collection Level of 1 (Minimal) or 2 (Basic Information). These areas include the philosophy and theory of music (DDC 780.1), materials relating to education, research, performances, and related topics (DDC 780.7), general principles and musical forms (DDC 781-781.6, 781.8), vocal music for mixed voices (DDC 782.5), instruments and instrumental ensembles and their music (DDC 784 - 784.7), and music for electrophones, and electronic instruments (DDC 786.7).

City of Nunawading, Library and Information Service
Source: Collection Development Policy. 1994

Nunawading has accepted responsibility for the collection of material relating to music under the Municipal Inter-Library Subject Specialisation Scheme. The collection will cater for the needs of the independent learner, music students, amateur performers and music lovers. It will not cater for those interested in in-depth music research. It is therefore assessed as having an Acquisition Commitment and Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate)

The collection will include monographs and serials relating to the history, theory, principles and teaching of music, orchestral, chamber and vocal music, individual musical instruments or groups of instruments, and biographical and critical works on musicians. Critical and general works related to all areas and genres of music, popular as well as classical will also be included. The reference collection will contain dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, standard works and indexes relating to music, together with discographical aids.

Printed music in various formats will be included in the collection with concentration on the provision of vocal and miniature scores. Vocal scores for all well-known operas, oratorios, operettas, musical comedies and rock operas, miniature scores for standard orchestral works and for selected chamber works will be provided. The Library will also acquire albums and collections of songs. A small collection of sheet music will be maintained including music and printed tutors relating to specific instruments.

A collection of compact discs will be maintained and developed with the long-term aim of providing access to as wide a range as possible of recorded music available in compact disc form. The collection will complement the range of monographs and other printed materials related to music and will cover all genres of music, popular as well as classical.

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

State Library of South Australia
Sources: Collection development policy, 1995 and Australian Conspectus Database

The music collection at the State Library of South Australia covers the history, principles and techniques of all forms of vocal and instrumental music and musical instruments. It includes recordings, musical scores and sheet music.

The Bray Reference Library at the State Library has a general collection of historical, biographical and critical works on all aspects of music with relatively few titles on music theory or of a technical nature. The collection is supported by a number of key journals, and by a relatively large discography collection. Although the overall collection is assessed as basic information material is currently being acquired at Level 3 (Intermediate), particularly for jazz and popular music. The current collection of material on jazz has been assessed at Level 3b (Intermediate). This is augmented by the Purches Collection of, mainly, jazz recordings, and the Holyoak collection of about 200 books and periodicals. The Mortlock Library of South Australiana published collections consist of material published in South Australia or material published interstate or overseas of South Australian relevance. This material is acquired by legal deposit, donation or purchase.

The 1989 change to the legal deposit legislation, which incorporated non-print publications in the definition, has led to an increasingly diverse and developing collection of publications including music, spoken word, feature film and documentary film. Standard SA music related print formats are also collected, such as sheet music and periodicals.

The audio collection was established in the 1980s and currently includes cassettes, compact disc, cylinder recordings, 78 rpm discs and vinyl records (7, 10 and 12 inch). Items in the collection date from 1904 to the present due to retrospective and current collecting activities.

The collection is a developing one and will continue to be so. Technological developments will undoubtedly impact on the collection development, access and preservation of this collection. Collecting priorities include current and retrospective publications with a concentration on independent recordings.

The published collection of non-print formats does not currently attempt to fulfil the role of archive for original mater tape. Its role is as a repository for published materials. However, for many titles held there is no original master in existence, especially with independent recordings, and, as such the collection may act in this capacity.

The current collection of material in the 780 decade of the Dewey classification has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate), and will continue to be acquired at this Level. The collection includes large number of standard titles, with historical and biographical works particularly well represented. Several major journal are contained in the collection

The relatively small but representative current collection of historical, biographical and critical works relating to vocal music (DDC 782-782.9) has been assessed at Level 2 (minimum). Material for this collection is being acquired at Level 3 (Intermediate)

The collection of music for single voices (DDC 783-783.9) contains material on sacred music, the voice and singing, folk, pop and jazz singers. Older, mostly pre-1960 material on symphony orchestra, orchestration, etc., together with a large number of titles from the 1930s onwards on jazz, are included in the collection of material on instruments and instrumental ensembles and their music (DDC 784-784.9)

Works relating to music for single voices, instruments and instrumental ensembles and their music have been assessed at Current Collection Level 2 (Basic information), with an acquisition commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate).

The collection of material relating to keyboard, mechanical, electrophonic, percussion instruments (DDC 786-786.9), and wind instruments (aerophones) (DDC 788 - 788.9)is currently assessed at Level 2 (Basic information) with an acquisition commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate). Works in these collection include mostly historical material on piano and organ, together with some works on piano tuning and organ building. A reasonable number of introductory monographs on each of the wind instruments are included in the collection. Biographies are mainly of jazz trumpet and saxophone players. Little recent material of a technical nature is held.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

University of Western Australia
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

The overall assessment given to the Music collection at the University of Western Australia is Level 3 (Intermediate) for the current collection, with an Acquisition Commitment of basic information, and a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate).

General works on music, within the DDC classification range of 780.1-780.9 has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) and will continue to be acquired at this Level. Works relating to the philosophy, theory and miscellany of music, education, research, performances, and related topics, the history and description of music with respect to kinds of persons, and the historical, geographical, and persons treatment of music, music dictionaries, encyclopedias, and concordances and serial publications on music are included within this classification range.

Material in the existing collection relating to general principles and musical forms, (DDC 781-781.1 and 781.3-781.8), has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) and will continue to be acquired at this Level. The current collection covering information on the elements of music (DDC 781.2) has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate), is being acquired at Level 2 (Basic information), and has a future goal of Level 3 (Intermediate).

Monographs relating to vocal music material (DDC 782-782.9) have been assessed as having a Current Collection Level of 3 (Intermediate) with an Acquisition Commitment of Level 2 (Basic information), and Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate). The exception to this assessment level is material relating to the 18th century French cantata which has been given a Current Collection Level of 4 (Research), and an Acquisition Commitment and Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate). Scores which fall within this range are currently acquired at Level 2 (Basic information).

Material which relates to music for the single voice (DDC 783-783.8) has been assessed as having both a Current Collection Level and a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate). Music for the solo voice, and the man's voice is being acquired at Level 2 (Basic information), with music for single voices in combination, the high voice, the middle voice, the low voice and the woman's voice being acquired at Level 1 (Minimal). Material for other types of single voice (DDC 783.9), has been assessed as having a Current Collection Level of 3 (Intermediate), an Acquisition Commitment of Level 0 (out of scope) and a Goal Level of 1 (Minimal).

The University of Western Australia has assigned differing collection levels to monographs and scores relating to instruments and their music. Scores have generally been given collection levels outside the scope of this report and will not be included in the following assessment data.

The collection of material relating to instruments, instrumental ensembles and their music (DDC 784-784.7) at the University of Western Australia has been assessed as having both a Current Collection Level and a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate). The library is acquiring monographs on general principles, musical forms and instruments, and ensembles without keyboard and with percussion at Level 3 (Intermediate). An Acquisition Commitment of Level 2 (Basic Information) has been assigned to monographs relating to instruments and instrumental ensembles and their music, chamber, string and symphony orchestra.

A Current Collection Level and a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate) has been assigned to works relating to Ensembles with only one instrument per part (DDC 785-785.8). Within this part of the music collection works for ensembles by size, and ensembles without electrophones and with percussion and keyboard have been assigned an Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate); works for woodwind ensembles, Level 2 (Basic Information), and works for ensembles with keyboard, Level 1 (Minimal)

The current collection of material relating to Keyboard, mechanical, electrophonic and percussion instruments (DDC 786-786.5) has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate). The Goal Level for all parts of this classification range has also been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate). The library is acquiring material for pianos and harpsichords at Level 3 (intermediate), for clavichords and keyboard wind instruments and organs at Level 2 (Basic Information), and keyboard, mechanical, electrophonic and percussion instruments at Level 1 (Minimal). Material relating to percussion instruments (DDC 786.8) has been assessed at a Current Collection Level of 2 (Basic Information), an Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate), and a Goal Level of 2 (Basic Information).

The Current Collection Level, Acquisition Commitment and the Goal Level of material relating to String instruments (chordophones), bow string instruments (DDC 787-787.8) has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) with the exception of works on harps and musical bows which have a Current Collection Level of 2 (Basic Information) and an Acquisition Commitment and Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate).

The existing collection of monographs relating to Wind instruments (aerophones), located in the classification range of DDC 788-788.9, has been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate) with a Goal Level of 3 (Intermediate). An Acquisition Commitment of Level 3 (Intermediate) has been assigned all material except that referring to the flute family which is being acquired at Level 2 (Basic Information).

Edith Cowan University
Source: Australian Conspectus Database

The current collection of music library materials at Edith Cowan University includes the following areas which have been assessed at Level 3 (Intermediate):

Vocal music (DDC 782-782.5), including dramatic vocal forms, opera, nondramatic vocal forms, services (liturgy and ritual), secular forms, and music for mixed voices. Scores and sound recordings predominate in this area.

Full (symphony) orchestra (DDC 784.4). This collection includes orchestral scores and sound recordings.

Pianos (DDC 786.2). Scores and sound recording predominate in this part of the music collection which includes keyboard scores and keyboard sound recordings.

Library and Information Service of Western Australia: State Music Library
Source: Future Imperative: collection development at the Library and Information Service of Western Australia. Vol. 1: The Alexander Library Building Collections. June 1990. Section 5.8: The State Music Library.

The collection at the State Music Library of Western Australia covers the 780 area of the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme. The following Conspectus Levels have been assigned to the collection:

 General music collection:            Level 3b (Intermediate)       
 Western Australia music collection:  Level 5 (Comprehensive)       

An emphasis is placed on the acquisition of Australian music in all formats (monographs, serials and recordings) with the acquisition of Western Australian items being of particular concern. Subject areas covered by the collection include bibliographies, discographies and thematic catalogues, works relating to the study of music, vocal music, orchestral and band music, and instrumental music.


ATTACHMENT A: Conspectus Collectng Level Definitions

Conspectus uses a Collecting Level Indicator (0-5), and Language Code (E, F, W or Y) to provide an overview, or summary, of a library's Current Collecting Level (CL); Acquisition Commitment (AC), and Collecting Goal (GL). Provision is also made for inputting data on Preservation Commitment (PC). Libraries can also supply additional information about strong collections, notable items in the collection, number and median age of items held, and the selection policy for a particular part of the collection.

Current Collecting Level (CL)
Current collecting level or existing collection strength, includes material in all formats. It reflects those materials that are catalogued and uncatalogued, housed in special collections, and non-circulating as well as circulating collections. An assessment of the current (or existing) collection provides a description of the library's total resources at a prescribed point in time.

Acquisition Commitment (AC)
Acquisition commitment, or current collecting intensity, describes the growth rate of the collection and reflects the current level of activity at which the collection is being developed.

Goal Level (GL)
Goal level, or desired collecting intensity, designates a future, desirable collecting level to meet program needs. These represent a library's aspirations and can be described in collection development policies and collecting agreements.

Conspectus Definition of Collection Level Indicators

In the Conspectus system, each subject area in a library is analysed for its breadth and scope in terms of standard descriptions of collection, and the appropriate collection level indicator is assigned. Where a level is subdivided, libraries have the option to apply the level indicator at either the broad level (2) or the subdivided level (2a, 2b) as indicated below.

The collection level indicators and descriptions are:

Level 0 - Out of scope
The library does not collect in this area.

Level 1 - Minimal
Few selections made beyond introductory/very basic material.

Level 1a - Minimal with uneven coverage
Few selections made; uneven representation of a subject.

Level 1b - Minimal with even coverage
Few selections made, but key authors, some core works, or a spectrum of views are represented.

Level 2 - Basic information
Collection of up-to date materials which introduce and define a subject and indicate the variety of information available elsewhere. The collection may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, appropriate bibliographic databases, standard and significant works, handbooks, manuals, films, sound recordings and a few popular or major serials.

The collection can support general enquiries, school and some undergraduate instruction and information and a popular level, but is not sufficiently intensive to support advances undergraduate courses.

Level 2a - Basic information: introductory
Includes basic reference sources and explanatory works, such as textbooks; history of a subject, general works on the subject; selective major periodicals.

The collection will support clients wishing to locate general information on a subject or students enrolled in introductory level courses.

Level 2b - Basic information: augmented
Includes basic information on a wider range of topics and with more depth. There is a broader selection of basic explanatory works, historical descriptions, reference sources and periodicals which introduce and define the subject.

The collection will support students in basic courses as well as supporting the basic information needs of clients in public and special libraries.

Level 3 - Intermediate
Contains a broad range of resources adequate to support undergraduate and most graduate instruction, sustained independent study, work based interests or specialised enquiries. Adequate to impart and maintain knowledge of a subject at less than research intensity.

The collection includes a wide range of basic works, fundamental reference works and bibliographical works, significant number of classic retrospective materials, complete collections of works of more important authors, selections from the works of secondary writers, selection of representative periodicals, access to appropriate databases.

Level 3a - Intermediate: introductory
Provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge about the primary topics of a subject area. Includes a broad range of basic work, classic retrospective materials, all key journals on primary topics, selected journals and seminal works on secondary topics, fundamental reference sources and bibliographical works, and access to appropriate databases.

The collection will support undergraduate instruction, as well as most independent study and work-based needs of the clientele of public and special libraries. It is not adequate to support postgraduate courses.

Level 3b - Intermediate: augmented
Provides resources adequate for imparting and maintaining knowledge bout the primary and secondary topics of a subject area. Includes a significant number of seminal works and journals on the primary and secondary topics in the field; a significant number of retrospective materials; a substantial collection of works by secondary figures; works that provide more in depth discussions of research, techniques and evaluation; the fundamental reference sources and bibliographical works and access to appropriate databases.

The collection is adequate to support all undergraduate and most graduate course work, as well as the more advances and independent study and work based needs of the clients of public and special libraries.

Level 4 - Research
Contains both current and retrospective resources, with historical material retained. Will provide materials in all appropriate formates and languages, including original material and ephemera; all important reference works. a wide selection of specialised monographs, a very extensive collection of journals and immediate access to bibliographies, abstracting and indexing services in the field. materials containing research findings and non-bibliographic databases.

The collection supports postgraduate and independent research and includes all the major published source materials required.

Level 5 - Comprehensive
Includes, as far as is reasonable possible, all significant works of recorded knowledge (publications, manuscripts, other forms) in all applicable languages, for a necessarily defined and limited filed. This level of collecting intensity is one that maintains a special collection; the aim, if not the achievement, is exhaustiveness.

Language Coverage Codes

Language coverage codes give an indication of the representation of English and foreign language materials within a subject. They allow a library to qualify and amplify the collection level indicators. The codes used are:

E - Principally English language material; little or no material in other languages
F - Principally English-language material, but with a selection of material in other languages
W - Wide selection of materials in all applicable languages
Y - Principally in one or more languages other than English from one linguistic or geographical area


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Last modified: April 30 2009.