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Collections & Metadata Services: Policies and Strategies

Silverman Phenomenology Center

Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center

The Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center, founded in 1980, is the representation of the phenomenological orientation of Duquesne University. The Philosophy and Psychology departments at Duquesne University share a tradition of work in phenomenology.

The Simon Silverman Collection at Gumberg Library acquires books in all fields where a phenomenological approach is used or criticized:

  • Purchased and donated holdings in phenomenology and philosophy as well as geography, music, ophthalmology, pedagogy, law, and nursing
  • Four alcoves including the entire personal libraries of Erwin Straus, Stephan Strasser, Aron Gurwitsch and Amedeo Giorgi as well as the five collections of Jan Bouman, Charles Maes, Rolf von Eckartsberg, André Schuwer, O.F.M., and Edward L. Murray, C.S.Sp.

Visit the Simon Silverman Phenomenology website here.

Silverman Phenomenology Center Collection Development Policy

Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center at Duquesne University

The Simon Silverman Phenomenology Center (SSPC) is (1) an archive; (2) a special collection library; and (3) a live center. It is dedicated to the study, creation, facilitation, promotion, and dissemination of historical and contemporary phenomenological scholarship, especially in the fields of psychology, philosophy, and theology, by Duquesne University faculty, students, scholars in residence, and alumni as well as by visiting scholars who visit Duquesne from national and international locations to use SSPC resources. This Collection Development Policy reflects this mission.[1]

  1. The SSPC has sought since its founding in 1980 and continues to seek to fashion, in the most comprehensive way possible, a collection of essential materials from and on the history of phenomenology from its beginnings up to the present. In line with this aim, the SSPC seeks to acquire both (a) all the books, journals, and materials that have been historically significant and influential in the field and (b) all the most creative, exciting, and significant books, journals, and materials being published in, or relevant to, the field today.

  1. The SSPC seeks to acquire books and other materials both (a) in the original language in which they were written and (b) in their English translation where there is one.

  1. The SSPC seeks to acquire the most recent critical editions of works in the original language and critical editions in English translation where there is one.

  1. The SSPC seeks to acquire significant, valuable, and rare archival materials and donations. These materials include personal annotated copies of significant books in the field belonging to distinguished scholars of phenomenology, books personally signed by phenomenological luminaries, correspondence from and/or between distinguished phenomenology scholars, historically interesting photos, offprints, lecture notes by distinguished phenomenologists, manuscripts, papers, films and videos, and other special and rare documents and/or artifacts that promise to be of interest and significance to the SSPC’s archival and contemporary mission.

  1. In accord with its nature as a physical destination, the SSPC privileges the acquisition of hardcopies of journals, books, papers, and A/V resources, although e-books and other electronic and virtual materials may be occasionally purchased or acquired.

  1. The SSPC seeks to acquire materials directly relevant to the learning, teaching, and scholarship of Duquesne faculty and students and is therefore always keen to make purchases based on requests and recommendations from these populations.

[1] In developing and formulating this Collection Development Policy, I corresponded and spoke with Mr. William J. Shepherd, University Archivist and Head of Special Collections the Catholic University of America Libraries; Dr. Patrick Byrne, Director, and Dr. Mary Elliot, Assistant Director, of the Lonergan Institute at Boston College; and Ms. Kaitlyn Dugan, Managing Director of the Center for Barth Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. I am gratefully indebted to these individuals and their institutions for their assistance and insights and for some of the language used in this policy.