The Latin American Studies Collection at The Ohio State University Libraries
Holdings and Access
Printed book volumes at Ohio State related to Latin American studies in the humanities and the social and natural sciences number approximately 200,000. However, including works with significant parts related to Latin American topics (comparative Romance literatures and linguistics, developmental economics, tropical rainforests, etc.), the amount approaches a quarter million. Access to statewide, national, and international resources increases exponentially via OhioLINK, the CIC, and WorldCat. LAT maintains 200 current subscriptions to print periodicals related directly to Latin American, Iberian, or Hispanic studies. This amount increases by several hundred when print and electronic journals, related to or partially inclusive of these topics, are included. Online availability of electronic journals from throughout the world steadily increases. Ohio State Libraries subscribes to all print and electronic indexing and cataloging utilities supporting retrieval of these materials, which are channeled for Latin American studies through the Ohio State LATweb gateway site. Primary source materials include several thousand microfiche and microfilm reels of documents for the Latin American colonial and national periods.
History, Strengths, and Services
Programmed collection development for Latin American library materials has occurred at Ohio State for a half century, beginning with the partnership of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the university’s agricultural development program, acquiring historic statistical, economic, and technical nature on Mexico, Haiti, and Brazil. The Brazilian material became the nucleus for expanding Ohio State’s Portuguese program, the largest in the state and among the largest in the country. Among Spanish American countries, strengths lie in Mexican history and literature, colonial Andean history, and, as a recent development, modern Argentine history. Spanish linguistics has been a traditional strength, and growth has occurred recently in indigenous languages, particularly Quechua and Quiché Mayan. Collection development innovations and initiatives occurred over the past decade due to Title VI funding complemented by Libraries supplementary support. LAT staff provides reference and research orientation services. Further, the staff offers instruction in the use of collection materials through individual tutorials or group classes.