Guidelines for Communication Arts

Table of Contents

1. Purpose
2. General Collection Guidelines
    A. Language
    B. Chronology
    C. Geography
    D. Publication Date
    E. Treatment of Subject
    F. Types of Materials and Formats
3. Area Resources
4. Subjects and Collecting Levels

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1. Purpose.

Collections in Communication Arts support teaching, research, and practice consistent with the curriculum at a Carnegie Research Intensive (Very High Research) institution with a bachelor’s degree program in the field.

The Department of Communication Arts offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. The program provides intense study and expansive exploration of the qualities, disciplines, and technologies that enable creative communication. The program is focused on the areas of drawing, illustration, and visual studies. Curriculum builds on the foundation of drawing and has a growing design and technology component.

 

2. General Collection Guidelines.

A. Language.
English is the preferred language of materials, unless images and illustrations are the primary value of the resource. Foreign language materials are selectively collected.

B. Chronology.
The collection centers on modern 20th and 21st century design and techniques, with a limited focus on historical predecessors and products.

C. Geography.
No restrictions.

D. Publication Date.
The main focus of collecting is current in-print titles. Aside from foundational works and replacement materials, out-of-print titles, and retrospective materials are aquired as funds permit.

E. Treatment of Subject.
Resources providing historical treatment, exploring conceptual elements, addressing technical aspects, and supporting study of illustration are collected. Popular "how-to" manuals are not collected. Juvenile materials are not acquired unless they hold significance as examples of illustrations. Lower undergraduate texts are not collected except those exemplary in their organization of knowledge, summary of research, or explanation of techniques.

F. Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographs, reference works, and serial titles are collected. Physical copies are preferred where images and illustrations are a primary concern.

Films supporting instruction and works of animation are collected in DVD format. Animation in VHS and 16mm formats are maintained to support curriculum.

Streaming media programs are actively sought and evaluated for content relevant to the arts. The development of streaming platforms and negotiations of copyright is closely monitored. To assure uninterrupted access, DVD is the current preferred format for core titles and remains the only available option for many titles.

Digital images of contemporary and historic examples of illustration are selectively collected to supplement large online resources such as Artstor.

Electronic and online resources to support the Department of Communication Arts are actively sought and evaluated for acquisition.

3. Area Resources.

Special Collections and Archives in Cabell Library holds material relevant to Communication Arts, specifically the Book Art Collection and the Cartoon and Caricature Collection of primary and secondary materials on 20th century cartoons and caricatures. The library at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a complementary resource in the Richmond metropolitan area for the study and analysis of art disciplines.

4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.

Resources on Communication Arts are collected at an instructional support level (3).