Research Guides
a. Chronological
Materials concerned with all periods of French and Francophone language, literature, history and culture are considered from the beginnings of an identifiable French language in the medieval age to the contemporary period. In French and Francophone cultures and societies, the twentieth and 21st centuries are of special interest.
Materials in the collection are concerned with the Italian language from the beginnings of its development to the present. The major strengths of the collection pertain to the 13th and 14th centuries, and the 19th - 21st centuries.
Imprint Dates: Emphasis on current materials, with selective retrospective purchasing as required.
b. Geographical
French-speaking areas of the world including Western Europe, Africa, Canada, Oceania, and the Caribbean.
The Italian collection is concerned almost exclusively with linguistic and literary development in Italy. History and cultural studies are selected to a lesser extent.
Place of publication: We collect materials published in France & Francophone countries, Italy, the U.S. and the U.K. extensively. Materials from elsewhere are collected selectively.
c. Language
French Studies: Emphasis on French and English-language publications.
Italian Studies: Emphasis on Italian and English-language publications.
d. Format
Electronic and print monographs, reference works, online databases, serials, facsimiles, and microforms are included in the collection. Audiobooks, other than language-learning audio courses, are not acquired. DVDs and eVideos are acquired selectively, primarily in response to faculty demand.
e. Exclusions
Textbooks unless for course reserve, or those of historic interest, and translations to languages other than English are excluded. Non-UW dissertations, and anthologies of primary works containing material already in the collection, are generally not collected.