Current secondary materials on the history of chemistry are purchased selectively and generally designated for the Main library. We do not exclude publications on the basis of geographic origin or focus, but geography is not as critical a factor as language, publisher, or the affiliation of the author or editor. On occasion we want to purchase out of print monographs, but they are generally difficult to obtain, even through booksellers that specialize in out of print materials. University press publications are well represented in the collection. In addition to the publisher, the institutional affiliation of the author or editor is a useful indicator of the quality of work.
Primary literature is emphasized, as evidenced by the high ratio of journals to monographs.
While scholarly works are given priority over popular works, many monographs in the collection are written specifically for the non-specialist and support introductory level courses. Multi-authored review volumes, especially those providing comprehensive bibliographies of specific topics, are considered quite useful and selected with some regularity. Primary literature reported in journals is emphasized in upper level courses and for students involved in research. We subscribe to approximately 60 chemistry periodicals, supporting basic research in analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry and organometallic chemistry. Current subscriptions are all at present in print format, although back runs of journals are occasionally pur-chased in microfilm.