Subject Librarian: Norda Majekodunmi
Policy written by: Kalina Grewal, Judith Hardy (retired)
Academic Programmes Supported and Description of Current Collection
The Libraries' collections support teaching and research in Social Work up to and including the M.S.W. level. The B.S.W. (Honours) is concerned with social policy and problems, methodology and social work practice. As well, electives in various aspects of social work are chosen. The masters programme has three areas of specialization: Mental Health and Social Work; Family and Children's Services; and Social Policy and Planning. The primary organizing principle is the integration of social work practice and social policy with a multicultural emphasis.
The Institute for Social Research, the Centre for Feminist Research, and the Centre for Health Studies are the research units most closely connected to Social Work.
Description of the Current Collection
The sociology and psychology collections are essential to social work and give students a strong base from which to draw. The collection is strongest in areas of graduate study. In the practicing aspects of social work the journal collection needs some strengthening.
Related Collections at York
Psychology and sociology are the disciplines most closely related to social work. The fact that social work does not have separate funding means that either the psychology or the sociology fund is used for most of its acquisitions. Interdisciplinary topics are seldom a problem. Government documents are acquired by the documents librarians and legal aspects are selected by the law librarians.
Languages
The collection is almost exclusively English language. Some French-Canadian publications may be purchased if relevant to the graduate course.
Geographical Coverage
Publications are acquired from Canada, the United States and England. The most comprehensive coverage is Canadian.
Chronological Coverage
The present period is of most interest.
Date of Publications
Current publications predominate.
Duplication
Additional copies are selected if circulation analysis shows a need or if the subject is one of high interest.
Gifts
As well as hardbacks, paperback gifts are accepted because of the generally high demand for sociology and psychology books.
Relegation and Weeding
There is no relegation or weeding.
Types of Materials
- Books — Paperback and hardback monographs are selected, with the emphasis on paper. Decisions may be made to send the paper items to the bindery before or after receipt. Text books are purchased in subjects of concentration or if the work is a standard text.
- Journals — Subscriptions are maintained for all significant periodicals, and backruns may be acquired in paper or microform. There is a very good range of psychological and sociological journals but the area of practicing social work requires strengthening. Annual reports and newsletters are not selected.
- Microforms — Backruns may be selected in microform if new subscriptions are initiated and extensive backruns are needed.
- Theses and Dissertations — A few dissertations are selected, primarily if they have Canadian content. These are bought in paper form.
- Ephemera — Ephemera are seldom selected.
- Electronic Data Files — Ele ctronic data files, CD ROMs and Microcomputer software have been acquired and will continue to be purchased as resources allow
- Films, Videos, Recordings — These items are usually selected by the librarians in SMIL.
- Exclusions — Tests are not acquired nor are annual reports or newsletters. Items under thirty pages are seldom acquired.
Resources Elsewhere in the Toronto Region
Within the University, the Psychology Resource Centre and the Nellie Langford Rowell (Women's Studies) library have good small collections. Within the Toronto region there are: the School of Social Work, University of Toronto; the Addiction Research Foundation; the Clarke Institute of Psychiatry and the Canadian Association for Community Living, Kinsmen, which is located on the York campus.
Last updated 1995