CCC Library's book collection is designed to support college curriculum as well as provide reading and learning opportunities for our community based on their needs and interests. What does this mean? The collection has:
If we don't have a book you need, we will explore ways to help you get it!
Because CCC students and community have lots of different book needs, this means that there may be multiple versions of some books (called adaptations). Also, the copy of the book we have might not be identical to the version you are used to, this is because books come in different editions. Read below to learn more about adaptations and editions - these may be important to consider for your class.
A literary adaptation is when a book is turned into a different format, for example a film or a stage play. In CCC Library's collection it usually means either an easier-to-read version of a book or a graphic novel version of a book. Anne of Green Gables is an example - we have a classic edition (suitable for ENG222), a graphic novel adaptation, and an adaptation for people learning English (easier-to-read).
How do I tell if a book is an adaptation?
It usually says somewhere on the cover or title page. If you are unsure if you have an adaptation, ask your instructor or a librarian.
Why do we have adaptations at CCC Library?
Because we want to make sure that all the library goers have access to materials at the level that works best for them! Adaptations support access to information, equity in education, and support belonging in the library.
An edition is "a book or other published text issued at one time" (Oxford English Dictionary). The first edition is the first batch of a book published, subsequent editions may either be reprintings of the exact same book, have revised or updated text, include new illustrations or cover, or be printed by a different publisher. For example, the first edition of Wind in the Willows was published in 1908 by publisher Methuen and the version in the library was published in 2007 by publisher Sterling. Unlike literary adaptions, the text in these books is fairly similar - the newer edition of the book has text that is closer to the original printing than an adaptation would.
How do I tell what edition of a book I am using?
For fiction books, you may have to do a web search, although many times there is information on the copyright page of the book. You will need to include publisher and date information in your citations, which indicates edition you are using. For non-fiction books, the edition is usually listed on the title page.
Do I have to use a specific edition for ENG222?
No, as long as you are using an edition that is similar to the original text and not an adapted form. For most titles the edition in CCC Library is fine, but we do have adaptations of some, so be sure to ask your instructor or a librarian if you aren't sure what you have. In addition to CCC Library's collection, you can find useful editions at your public library or maybe in your house!
Why do we have the specific edition we do at CCC Library?
Mostly we purchase what is available and affordable. We can't afford a first edition of The Wind in the Willow (it can be thousands of dollars!) so we bought an edition that was printed more recently.
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