However, the library had already acquired an interesting and sometimes even exciting range of pertinent publications, and it appears that no small measure of thanks for this is due to the efforts of R.M. Sugars, an Associate Professor of Spanish and Head of the School of Commerce in the 1920s and 1930s. The richest part of the McLennan collection at present is 20th century literature especially 1898-1936 in Spain. Campus-wide interest in the mediaeval period has ensured a generally good library coverage, and Spain is well represented. Golden Age fiction, drama, and poetry are represented by a large collection of primary and secondary materials but, as is also the case with the literature of the 18th century, the systematic acquisition of modern editions is a desideratum. In 19th century peninsular literature, holdings are strong in both primary and secondary materials in the romantic historical novel, poetry and drama.
Philological holdings are good.
Latin American holdings are uneven in quantity and quality. In literature, contemporary novelists, poets and dramatists are relatively well represented, those of the earlier periods much less so. Supporting materials in history, geography, anthropology, politics, economics, etc. have not been adequately developed, and although the relevant bibliographers agree on the need to correct this situation, all funds are already stretched. The Department has achieved international prominence for its comprehensive approach to undergraduate education. During the academic year 1991-92 it submitted a proposal for a doctoral programme, indicating that the Library's collection could measure up to the demands of a doctoral programme with the addition of subscriptions and backfiles to a dozen scholarly journals.