In general, the Special Collections grow primarily through donations and gifts, or transfer from the library's general collection. Only materials with teaching or research potential for Denison constituents are usually accepted.

Collection Development Guidelines

Edgar J. Goodspeed Collection: Rare Bibles; works of biblical scholarship by Goodspeed; editions of the Bible edited by Goodspeed. Donated works with Goodspeed provenance may be accepted, plus books with Goodspeed provenance from the general collection may be transferred. No new purchases are anticipated in this area.

Grove Karl Gilbert Collection: Works on North American geology owned and/or authored by Gilbert; many early USGS survey publications; some early geological textbooks. Books with Gilbert provenance from the general collection will be transferred to Special Collections; Gilbert items housed as government documents will not be transferred. No new purchases are anticipated in this area.

William Howard Doane Collection: American hymnals dating from the 1860's through the early 1900s, including works by Doane; miscellaneous books from Doane's personal library, many of which are travel books. Hymnals in the general collection with Doane provenance will be transferred, but other miscellaneous works with Doane provenance usually will not be transferred to Special Collections (see Misc. Rare Works section). No new purchases are anticipated in this area.

Baptist Collection: Works by and about the American Baptist Church and the Ohio Baptist Conference; annual conference proceedings; works on missionary and education programs of the church. Works by and about the American Baptist Church in the general collection may be transferred to Special Collections, especially if they are considered primary source materials (such as missionary accounts, annual reports, or proceedings). Items relating to Denison and the Ohio Baptist Conference or Ohio Baptist Society also will be transferred selectively. No new purchases are anticipated in this area, but donations are welcomed.

Scottish History Collection (Cathcart): Works on Scotland's history and on Mary Queen of Scots; Hugh Wallace Cathcart collected most, but not all of the materials in this collection. Works on Scottish history with Cathcart provenance will be transferred from the general collection; works on Scottish history published before 1801 will be considered for transfer, as well. No new purchases are anticipated in this area.

Local/Regional History: Selected works on Ohio, Licking County, and Granville history; several Ohio county histories; some works on the Northwest Territory and Ohio mound builders. Works on local or regional history may be transferred form the general collection if rarity or physical condition warrants such a transfer. Works on Granville or Licking County history are welcomed as donations; selective purchases may be made in this area.

Denisoniana Collection: A subdivision of the Denison's archival records, with books by Denison authors; publications by and about Denison. Donations are welcomed; selective purchases are made in this area.

Miscellaneous Rare Works: Works transferred from the general collection to Special Collections due to rarity, extreme fragility, or unique/special formats which could be easily damaged or destroyed if circulated. Works in the following categories in the general collection should b considered for transfer to Special collections as they are discovered. Donated or purchased works that fall into these categories should also be considered for placement in Special Collections. Illuminated manuscripts, European manuscripts created before 1601. Any printed book published before 1601. European imprints published before 1801 (considered selectively, depending on subject matter and place of publication). United States imprints published before 1801 or in the earliest years of printing within each state. Ohio imprints published before 1850. Limited editions, fine press, and signed editions: Works published in special, limited editions (such as Limited Editions Club publications) will be considered on a case-by-case basis for placement in Special Collections. Works featuring exceptionally fine or unusual bindings will also be considered for placement in Special Collections. Inscribed works will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and their selection will depend on the inscriber's prominence or local importance. Special formats: Works published in a special physical format that would be easily damaged or lost may be considered on a case-by-case basis for placement in special Collections. Examples include unbound art folios; works on fragile paper, such as rice paper; hand-made books. Works likely to be vandalized due to controversial content.