Boston Architectural Center Library
320 Newbury Street
Boston MA 02115
Collection Development Standards
Introduction
The Library’s undergraduate collection was begun in the early 1960’s, when the Center moved into the building which was designed for it at 320 Newbury Street. Therefore, most materials post-date 1960. Titles to be acquired are chosen by the Head Librarian from the review media, publishers’ announcements, published bibliographies catalogs of architectural bookstores, and used and out-of-print book catalogs. An effort has been made to collect titles significant to the architecture and environs of Boston. Faculty recommendations are solicited. Several standing-order plans are utilized for building cost data and encyclopedic reference works. A blanket order plan defines acquisitions from Worldwide Books for exhibition catalogs.
Materials Collected
Book format - biographies, encyclopedias, dictionaries, a limited number of bibliographies, BAC thesis documents, monographs, histories, technical handbooks, codes and standards, architectural periodical indices published in the U.S., a construction and art periodical index (again, U.S.), exhibition catalogs, periodicals, atlases, and compilations of manufacturers’ catalogs (Sweets).
Non-book format - microfiche - student theses as record copies: maps - local zoning, photogrammetric and topographic (BRA), and fire insurance (Sanborn); ephemera/vertical file - magazine and newspaper clippings of local interest; Archives - financial, academic, social, historic, literary papers of the BAC, slides, and plans of BAC-owned buildings.
Users
The primary users of the Library are the students of the school who are enrolled in the Bachelor’s and Master’s level programs of architecture and interior design. Secondary users are BAC faculty members (practicing architects whose numbers are 6 times greater than those of faculties of other design schools), and Continuing Education students. The tertiary group of users is drawn from students of other design schools, practitioners, architectural historians, preservationists, interested laypeople, representatives of local print and TV media, affiliated professionals (organizations, librarians, etc.), BAC Board and committee members, alumnae, and registrants for the Architectural Licensing Exam.
Scope
The collection is shaped, but not restricted, by the curricula of the school - Architecture, Interior Design, Work, and Continuing Education (professional development). The Work Curriculum, the Continuing Education Program, and the BAC’s volunteer faculty expand the collection beyond the academic concerns which one would anticipate finding at a school of architecture. Therefore, the Library attempts, within limits, to meet the professional needs of students and faculty.
Below are listed subject areas in which books are collected at the BAC Library. The first column to the right, CCS, represents the current collection strength of that subject area. The second column, C & PCP, indicates the level of the current and planned collection policy for that subject area. The current and planned collection policy was determined by studying the curriculum, the current strengths of the collection, and the current usage of the collection. The definitions of the collecting codes, 1 through 5, precede the list of subjects.
Most books purchased are written in English or include English translations. A limited number of foreign-language publications are purchased from U.S. book sellers who identify significant foreign titles from among the vast numbers of foreign titles available. Foreign-language publications must provide valuable visual resources to qualify them for purchase.
Collection Level Code
| Level 1 | Do not collect |
| Level 2 | Collect selectively to reflect current courses, no journals |
| Level 3 | Collect comprehensively to support undergraduate program, selective periodicals, deaccession, superseded editions. |
| Level 4 | Collect to support graduate level of study to the Ph.D. level, keep all editions |
| Level 5 | Exhaustive collection, including archival |
ccs = current collection strengths
c & pcp = current & planned collection policy
| CCS | C & PCP | |
| Architectural Design and Methodology (C) | 3 | 3 |
| Architectural Education (B) | 2+ | 2+ |
| *Architectural Presentation Techniques (E) | 3 | 3 |
| Building Elements (J) | 3- | 3- |
| *Building Types (L) | 3 | 3 |
| *Codes and Standards (Reference) | 3 | 3 |
| * HVAC/Building Systems Controls (H)
Energy Conservation Lighting (H4) |
3
3 3 |
2+
2 3- |
| Historic Preservation (Q1) | 3 | 3 |
| *History and Theory of Architecture and Design ( M & P) | 3+ | 3+ |
| History of Art (M) | 2 | 2 |
| History of Cities (Q2) | 3 | 3 |
| Humanities (Z) | 2 | 2 |
| Interior Design/Furniture (K) | 2+ | 3 |
| Materials (F) | 3- | 3- |
| *Monographs of Architects’/Firms’ Work (N & O) | 4 | 4 |
| Photography (W) | 2 | 2 |
| Professional Practice (D) | 3- | 3- |
| Science (Y) | 2 | 2 |
| *Site Design/Landscape Design (R)
Landscape Design Site Planning Landscape Design--Historical Studies Gardens Parks and Playgrounds Trees, Shrubs - Identification & Use Water in Landscape Garden Ornament and Structures |
3 | 3 |
| *Structures/Construction (G) | 3 | 3 |
| Theses (BAC) | 4- | 4- |
| *Urban Planning & Design (S) | 3+ | 3 |
| Vernacular Architecture (V) | 2+ | 2+ |
* Considered a core subject area
Gifts
The acceptance of gifts to the collection will follow the guidance of the collection development policy, with particular reference to usage studies and priority given to core collection subjects and current and planned collection policy for the subject area. Additional considerations include availability of space for collection growth and staff availability and financial support to integrate the donated materials into the existing collection.
Only unrestricted gifts will be accepted. Federal tax requirements will be considered when appropriate. The Librarian may sell or give away titles which are not needed in the collection. Particularly valuable books may be sold to dealers with the proceeds being credited to the Library budget as additional funds. Less valuable titles may be sold to students, faculty, and BAC-related parties for nominal charges.
Standard BAC bookplates, with space for dedications, may be placed in donated volumes. Special bookplates must be designed and funded by the donor or other outside source.
March 26, 1993