SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The Alexander N. Charters Library of Resources for Educators of Adults

Adult Education Materials Collection Development Policy

I. Purpose

The purpose of the Adult Education Collection is to document the history and evolution of the field of adult and continuing education policy, theory and practice in the United States and internationally. The manuscripts librarian works closely with the Education subject specialist so that SCRC material and related material in the general collections support and enhance each other.

II. Scope

SCRC collects adult education material with a focus on policies and programs at the national and international level. SCRC also collects scholarship on the theory and practice of adult education generally as well as for particular sub-populations (e.g. women, high-school dropouts, the disabled). Among the topics covered are Adult Basic Education (ABE), Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED), continuing education credits (CCEU/CEC), training of adult educators, education for women, civics/citizenship education, folk schools (volksschule), and distance education.

III. Parameters

A. Format

Since SCRC's purpose is to promote and enable original research, we collect primarily unpublished material that would otherwise be unavailable to researchers such as manuscript collections, organizational records, and non-commercial audiovisual material. Published material -- books, professional journals, commercial audio-visual material -- are selectively accepted based on approval from the manuscripts librarian (for SCRC) or the Education subject specialist (for the circulating collection); in such cases, the most important consideration is whether the item(s) fill a gap in existing holdings. SCRC does not currently actively collect government documents; ESL or TESOL materials; born-digital materials such as websites, blogs, or e-newsletters; or classroom materials such as lesson plans.

B. Language

English-language materials are preferred; materials in other languages are selectively accepted.

C. Dates

There are no date limitations on material accepted.

D. Geography

Material with a national or international focus. SCRC does not currently actively collect material with a regional, state or local focus.