The library will collect both published and unpublished Gulf of Mexico literature, including its estuarine and brackish water ecosystems. Publications in languages other than Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish will require English translations. Textbooks and popular works are acquired in English only.
Emphasis is primarily on the twentieth century and current scholarship.
Textbooks are purchased selectively. Monographic publications must reflect current research programs and graduate student emphasis. The collection includes selected publications of conferences, symposia, workshops, congresses, and atlases. Technical reports, government documents, thesis and dissertations are generally included. Emphasis is on current journal literature.