ENGLISH1. DESCRIPTIONThe collection comprises serials and monographs in the Dewey sections 400-429 and 800-829. Its purpose is to support undergraduate and graduate courses and research programmes. In both sections standard and important editions of major works are held. The section 400-429 maintains coverage of language, particularly the study and teaching of language, ESL, psycho- and socio-linguistics, discourse analysis and the philosophy of language. The section 800-829 covers general literary theory and criticism, and primary and secondary works of American and English Literature. New fiction by authors of literary merit is collected as well as that by established authors, with the best editions of classic and collected works being given priority. Genre fiction is collected to support curriculum teaching and postgraduate research, or where it makes a significant enough contribution to a particular genre to be respresentative. Primary and secondary material supports the curriculum teaching and research needs of each literary genre. Important reprint collections such as the Early English Text Society, English Experience, Tudor Facsimile and Scottish Text Society are held. A National Literature collection of literary works written in English by nationals of countries outside the British Isles is shelved separately, pre-fixed by a letter denoting country of origin. The National Literature collection has a strong Australian and Canadian component. Little-used material is kept in Off-Campus Storage, and print runs of serials which are available retrospectively through electronic archives. Major special collections in electronic format include Early English Books Online, Eighteenth Century Collections Online and Literature Online. The Hardy Collection, an extensive collection of rare and valuable materials related to Thomas Hardy (1840-1928), is housed in Special Collections. This collection comprises primary works and secondary material and is the most comprehensive Hardy collection outside the United Kingdom. Special Collections houses other old and rare items related to English literature. This includes limited editions and private press material, early printed works (pre-1900), and high quality facsimiles. A particular strength is a collection of twentieth-century US and UK private press imprints. Also included in Special Collections is the Gilderdale Collection of twentieth-century New Zealand children's literature. 2. USERSUsers are primarily undergraduate and graduate students of English Language and Literature, and Department of English staff. Other students, academic and general staff use the collection for interdisciplinary and recreational use. Members of the public, secondary and tertiary students from other institutions, and teachers, also consult and read from the collection. 3. SELECTION CRITERIASelection is made by staff of the Department of English through the appointed Library Liaison Officer, and the English Subject Librarian. The Subject Librarian also selects relevant material for the Arts Reference Collection, including electronic resources. Linda George
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