Guidelines for Theatre

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 Theatre support teaching, research, and practice consistent with the currucilum at a Carnegie Research Intensive (Very High Research) institution with bachelor's and master's degree programs in the field.

The department offers four undergraduate and two graduate degrees in a variety of areas. The curriculum provides the experience necessary for a professional career and consists of critical and practical studies.

The program offers a Bachelor of Arts in theatre which combines a central emphasis on theatrical studies with a strong liberal arts component. Three Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees are offered through the department in the areas of Performance, Design/Technology, and Stage Management.  Master of Fine Arts degrees are offered in the areas of Theatre Pedagogy and Design/Technology.

 

2. General Collection Guidelines.

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

B. Chronology.
No specific limitations. Historical studies of the theatre and its various areas are actively collected.

C. Geography.
No restrictions.

D. Publication Date.
Collection efforts center on current imprints, but there are no limitations on date of publication.

E. Treatment of Subject.
Except where appropriate for Theatre Education, juvenilia is excluded. Upper-level textbooks are acquired on a highly selective basis. Manuals covering technical elements are actively collected due to the undergraduate and graduate focus on design and technical aspects of the theatre.

F. Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographic literature, reference materials, and pertinent serial titles are acquired. Where images and illustrations represent the primary value of the resource, a physical copy is preferred. Dramatic works by playwrights of note are actively collected. Dramatic presentations are actively collected, including selected duplicate copies to provide comparative versions.

Digital images relating to theatrical and costume design are selectively collected to supplement large online resources such as Artstor.

Electronic and online resources to support the Department of Theatre are actively sought and evaluated for the collection.

Streaming media programs are actively sought and evaluated for content relevant to the arts. The development of streaming platforms and the 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.

 

3. Area Resources.

VCU is a member of the Richmond Area Film/Video Cooperative, which provides access to area members’ film and video holdings.

 

4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.

Resources for Theatre are collected at an instructional support level (3).