Because of limited funding, collecting is selective in all areas. A premium is placed on selecting items that fulfill needs in more than one research area. Eighteenth-century British Literature and History. Attention is given to acquiring lesser figures in the canon and people previously excluded from the canon, with the intention of providing materials for original research as well as background and context for major figures in the canon. Emphasis is also placed on acquiring items that are useful as exemplars or icons for undergraduate teaching, but that fit with the overall collection to support graduate teaching, as well as graduate and faculty research.
Preference is given for materials in good, usable condition.
In general, no premium is paid for fine condition, but some fine exemplars will be obtained. Original bindings are strongly preferred. Reference tools and other supporting materials, including microfilm and digital publications, will be purchased as needed to support research use of the above. Materials are acquired to provide support for graduate teaching of book history, and undergraduate and graduate teaching of book arts, including design and typography. The aim is to create a collection with strength in its breadth rather than in comprehensiveness of coverage for a narrow area.