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Collection Policy Statement Index

Contents

I. Introduction
II. Scope
III. Policy
IV. Appendices

I. Introduction

This Collections Policy Statement deals with fantasy and science fiction and is intended to complement the existing Collections Policy Statement for Literature. While the latter statement addresses the need for the Library to acquire works by authors "whose writings are generally regarded as having literary merit [or] as representing important trends in serious creative writing", genre designations such as fantasy, science fiction, science fantasy, and horror often eliminate works of cultural and artistic merit from serious consideration by the literary mainstream. Although often overlooked, the predominantly Anglo-American genre of fantasy and its sub-genre, science fiction, both express and embody with increasing significance important elements of the popular culture of the United States, as well many other nations; hence, they are accorded separate treatment in the present statement.

II. Scope

This statement is addressed in particular to works specifically marketed by publishers as either fantasy or fiction, rather than to works of speculative fiction that have already achieved mainstream literary recognition, e.g., the fantasy and science fiction of George Orwell, Margaret Atwood, Aldous Huxley, Doris Lessing, Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., Anne Rice, et al., and are therefore covered by Literature. This statement also applies to non-book materials which share the same characteristics as print literature in these genres, especially moving image and recorded sound materials.

Throughout this statement particular attention is given to science fiction (although it is, in fact, a sub-genre of fantasy) because it dominates the genre of fantasy in terms of the total number of titles published. It will be the general rule, therefore, throughout this statement to speak of "fantasy and science fiction" together and on equal terms. Unless otherwise specified, however the provisions below apply equally to all of the other sub-genres of fantasy.

1. Fantasy
   Fantasy includes the sub-genres of science fiction, horror and adaptations of traditional myths. The distinguished writer, Arthur C. Clarke, has stated that "any sufficiently advanced technology is undistinguishable from magic." (Omni, April 1980, p. 87.). This view is borne out by the fact that the distinctions between science fiction and the various other sub-genres of fantasy are indeed blurred at times and usually artificial. In fact, many authors in the genre frequently cross these artificial barriers in mid-work or in mid-career. Publishers, furthermore, often confuse these sub-genre identifications even further by failing to differentiate among them.
   Publishers do, however, frequently identify books in these various sub-genres with tags which usually appear on the spine or cover of the individual books stating that they are specifically fantasy, horror, science fiction, etc. These tags may be very useful in identifying materials whose precise classification is doubtful or subject to various interpretations.
   Although difficult to define with precision, fantasy usually requires a willing suspension of disbelief. Works in its various sub-genres often 1) adapt, rework, or provide an alternate telling of a myth or folktale; 2) involve an alternate reality or alternate universe; 3) rely on a displacement of time or space; or 4) make use of elements of the horrific, supernatural, paranormal, or the occult.
2. Science fiction
   In addition to sharing any or all of the general characteristics listed above for fantasy, science fiction usually 1) is speculative in nature; 2) assumes change as a given; 3) projects a story-line into the future or into an alternative reality or history; 4) explores a problem in technology, culture, philosophy, etc. beyond its current state; and 5) presents an atmosphere of scientific credibility regardless of the reality. Not all science fiction 1) takes place in the future; 2) involves space travel; 3) describes technology beyond current reality; or 4) deals with alien cultures. However, these elements are common in this sub-genre and uncommon outside it.

III. Policy

1. Print media: General
   The genre of fantasy and science fiction is international in Scope. The United States, however, is the world's most active publisher of fantasy and science fiction in terms both of periodicals and books. There are numerous serial titles devoted solely to this genre (e.g., Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction and Science Fiction Studies) and many more that publish only an occasional piece related to the genre (e.g., Omni). Fantasy and science fiction books typically fall into the categories of novels, short story collections by single authors, or anthologies. Anthologies may either reprint shorter fiction which has previously appeared in periodicals or are made up entirely of original fiction, usually with a particular unifying theme (See Appendix B ).
   Outside the United States, the most active writers are from the United Kingdom and Canada. As these three countries for the most part share a common language and close cultural links, material published in one country is readily available and distributed in the others. Today, a North American writer's first edition is just as likely to appear in the United Kingdom as a British writer will be published first in North America.
   Since the genre of fantasy and science fiction is dominated by works published or distributed within the United States, the Library will acquire all important books and serials which document this important trend in the writing and publishing culture of the United States. In addition to literature within the field, the Library will attempt to acquire all important published reference works related to the field as well as any appropriate works of criticism.
   The Library will endeavor to acquire a fully representative sampling of works by foreign authors, worldwide, who write in the genre, both in English and in other languages. Particular attention will be paid to those authors and works which have won national and international awards. Non-U.S. publications in the genre are primarily issued at the present time in such nations as France, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Japan, but collecting efforts will be aimed at acquiring all significant original fantasy and science fiction, wherever published and in whatever language.
2. Periodical publications
   All serial publications within the genre of fantasy and science fiction are subject to the provisions of the statement for Periodicals of General Content. U.S. imprints will be acquired by Copyright deposit whenever possible, and only by purchase if unavailable through Copyright deposit and judged to be of sufficient importance to warrant expenditure of funds. The Library will also acquire a representative sampling of non-U.S. serial titles in the genre, on a worldwide basis.
   A large number of periodicals within the genre is ephemeral in nature. Fantasy and science fiction fan magazines (fanzines) often take the form of newsletters on some particular topic within the field published by a few individuals or a small association.¹ Other ephemeral publications include the program guides for major conventions which often contain short fiction and articles of interest or value in the field. Acquisition of this material is subject to the provisions of Publications of Societies and Associations and Ephemera. A brief listing of the most essential titles appears in Appendix C.
   A growing number of ephemeral publications related to fantasy and science fiction is beginning to be available only through electronic media such as the Internet. Such publications create special problems of acquisition, long-term storage, and retrieval which are addressed in a separate statement on Electronic Resources.
3. Other print media
   While most fantasy and science fiction is published in traditional serial or book formats (i.e., hardcover, trade paperbacks, or mass market ), a substantial number of the works in the genre appear in other related book formats (e.g., children's books, comic books, and graphic novels ). Rather than receiving separate treatment, however, the acquisition of materials in these formats is considered to be subject to the provisions of the statements for Children's Literature and Comic Books.
4. Non-print media
   Fantasy and science fiction are not limited to the print medium. Although the mass-market paperback is the traditional vehicle for works of fantasy and science fiction, it is only one of several. Other popular formats include electronic media, motion pictures, video, and sound recordings. All materials collected in these formats will be subject to the guidelines established in the statements for Moving Images and Sound Recordings.

IV. Appendices

The purpose of the appendices that follow is to help identify what fantasy and science fiction materials should be collected by the Library. These appendices identify different awards, anthologies, and related publications in the field and they should be used as guidelines for acquisitions. The appendices will be reviewed every three years.

June, 1995; revised and approved August, 2000

APPENDIX A: Awards (updated 1/00)

The library attempts to collect all works of fantasy and science fiction that have won or been nominated for the following major awards:

1. Hugo (awarded by the World Science Fiction Convention)
2. Nebula (awarded by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America)
3. World Fantasy or Howard (awarded by the World Fantasy Convention)
4. John W. Campbell, Jr. (awarded by a panel of science fiction writers)
5. Philip K. Dick (awarded by the Philadelphia Science Fiction Society)
6. Bram Stoker Awards (Horror Writers Association)
7. James Tiptree, Jr. (Awarded by the Wisconsin SF Convention)
8. Mythopoeic Awards (Mythopoeic Society)

The Library should attempt to collect all the works of those authors writing within the genre who have won one or more of the above-mentioned awards on three or more occasions (see Appendix E).

Appendix B: Anthologies (updated 1/00)

The Library collects the following anthologies of fantasy and science fiction which normally appear as annual publications:

1. The Year's Best Science Fiction
2. The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror
3. Nebula Awards
4. The Year's Best Horror Stories
5. Isaac Asimov Presents the Great SF Stories
6. The Hugo Winners
7. Universe
8. Full Spectrum

While the above-listed anthologies usually reprint previously published stories, the Library should also collect irregular and one-time anthologies of original (previously unpublished) stories of fantasy and science fiction.

APPENDIX C: Related Publications (updated 1/00)

The Library collects the following related publications (fanzines, program guides, etc.) which are essential to documenting important elements of the genre of fantasy and science fiction:

1. WorldCon Program Guide (souvenir book)
2. ReaderCon Program Guide (souvenir book)
3. World Fantasy Program Guide (souvenir book)
4. Mimosa (fanzine)
5. World Horror Convention (souvenir book)

Traditional periodical publications in the genre (as well as the so-called "semi-prozines" such as Locus as defined in footnote 1 above) will be subject to the guidelines established in Periodicals. Other related publications in the genre will be subject to the guidelines established in Ephemera and Societies and Associations.

APPENDIX D: Moving image and sound recording media (updated 1/00)

The Library collects representative works in the moving image and sound recording media marketed as fantasy and science fiction. These materials should be collected in accordance with the provisions established in Moving Images and Sound Recordings. When and where possible, an attempt should also be made to collect related shooting scripts, press packets, and souvenir books. The types of materials which should be collected include:

1. Motion pictures
   1. All U.S.-produced films in the genre
   2. A representative sampling of foreign films in the genre
2. Television
   1. Star Trek
   2. Star Trek: The Next Generation
   3. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
   4. Star Trek: Voyager
   5. D r. Who (BBC)
   6. Blake's 7 (BBC)
   7. Babylon 5
   8. Hercules
   9. X-Files
3. Radio
   1. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (BBC)
   2. Star Wars
4. Sound Recordings
   1. A depository collection of the Science Fiction Oral History Association

APPENDIX E: Authors list (updated 1/00)

The Library attempts to collect all the works by the following authors who have won multiple awards within the genre or have otherwise achieved distinction in the field: Authors whose names are preceded by an asterisk (*) are also listed in the "First Editions Authors List" prepared by the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, February 1995.

Aldiss, Brian Anderson, Poul *Asimov, Isaac Ballard, J.G. Bear, Greg Bester, Alfred Bishop, Michael Bisson, Terry Blish, James *Bradbury, Ray Bradley, Marion Zimmer Brin, David Brown, Fredric Brunner, John Bryant, Edward Budrys, Algis Bujold, Lois McMaster Burroughs, Edgar Rice *Butler, Octavia Cadigan, Pat *Card, Orson Scott Charnas, Suzy McKee *Cherryh, C.J. Clarke, Arthur C. Clement, Hal *Crowley, John Dann, Jack Davidson, Avram de Camp, L. Sprague del Rey, Lester *Delany, Samuel R. Dick, Philip K. Dickson, Gordon R.

Disch, Thomas Dozois, Gardner Effinger, George Alec Ellison, Harlan *Farmer, Philip Jose Gerrold, David *Gibson, William Haldeman, Joe *Heinlein, Robert A. Herbert, Frank Jordan, Robert *King, Stephen Knight, Damon Koontz, Dean R. Kornbluth, C.M. Kress, Nancy Lafferty, R.A. *Le Guin, Ursula K. Leiber, Fritz Leinster, Murray Lem, Stanislaw Lovecraft, H.P. Martin, George R.R. May, Julian McCaffrey, Anne *MacAvoy, R.A. McIntyre, Vonda Miller, Walter, Jr. Morrow, James Murphy, Pat *Niven, Larry Norton, Andre

Pohl, Frederik Pournelle, Jerry Powers, Tim Resnick, Mike Rice, Anne Robinson, Kim Stanley Russ, Joanna Sheckley, Robert Sheffield, Charles Shepard, Lucius Silverberg, Robert Simak, Clifford Simmons, Dan Smith, Cordwainer Spinrad, Norman Sterling, Bruce Stephenson, Neal Strugatsky, Arkady and Boris Sturgeon, Theodore Swanwick, Michael Tepper, Sherri Tiptree, James, Jr. Tolkien, J.R.R. Turtledove, Harry Van Vogt, A.E. Varley, John Vinge, Joan Vinge, Vernor Waldrop, Howard Wilhelm, Kate Willis, Connie Wolfe, Gene *Zelazny, Roger

Notes:

1. Serial publications related to science fiction are frequently referred to as being either "magazines" (serials published by a major fantasy and science fiction publishing house with contributions from professionals in the field), "fanzines" (serials published by non-professional fans but not through a major publisher in the field), or "semi-prozines" (serials published by fans who have become professionals, but also not through a major publisher).

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