Yale University Library was among the first in the United States to collect Slavic materials systematically. Primary subject areas collected are in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis on acquisition of materials from Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, and other countries in Eastern Europe. While Russian language holdings constitute the majority of the collection (approximately 40%), Polish holdings are also strong (close to 20%). All Slavic languages are represented, and publications in German, English, and other western European languages published in the Slavic and East European imprint area are also acquired. The Slavic & East European Collection is also responsible for collecting materials published in the fields of Russian and East European studies (primarily history and all humanities disciplines) published in North America, Europe, and other imprint areas outside of Russia and Eastern Europe. These materials can be found across nearly all of Yale University Library’s 15 individual units.
Notable strengths include the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library’s holdings of the papers of several prominent Russian and East European emigre writers, mostly acquired during the tenure of Aleksis Rannit, who had close ties to diaspora communities across the U.S. and Europe. These collections include the papers of Joseph Brodsky, Czesław Miłosz, Roman Gul’, Nina Berberova, and more. The Manuscripts and Archives Division of the library is particularly strong in collections concerning American diplomatic history, and the papers of several U.S. Secretaries of State and ambassadors shed light on U.S.-Russian relations in particular. Yale also has a rich collection of Russian and East European periodicals in print and microfilm.
As liaison, the Librarian for Slavic and East European Studies works closely with the Slavic Languages & Literatures Department and historians of Russia and Eastern Europe in the History Department. In addition to responding to collecting needs and conducting research appointments, the librarian plays a significant role in research instruction and outreach on behalf of the library.