Can support fundamental school, public, and academic library inquiries. A collection at this level may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, historical surveys, bibliographies, selected editions of important works, and a few major periodicals in the minimum number that will serve the purpose. Adequate for curriculum support for basic undergraduate instruction. Adequate for independent study and for the lifelong learning needs of the general public, with coverage at all appropriate reading levels. It is intended to include all important reference works and a wide selection of specialized monographs, as well as a very extensive collection of journals and major indexing and abstracting services in the field.
Older material is retained for historical research.
The aim, if not the achievement, is exhaustiveness. Older material is retained for historical research.