We intentionally include journals focusing on chemistry education and reviews for the non-specialist. The collection also includes carefully selected highly specialized journals that are vital for continuing research in the various specialities of each faculty member in a tenure-track position. Students involved in research and pursuing honors are collaborating with faculty, so subscriptions to critical speciality journals help provide the most relevant core of journal literature for faculty and students alike. Advanced monographs, collections, and treastise sets are needed as well. Conference proceedings, on the other hand, are purchased infrequently, since they often represent research in progress that is later updated with journal literature.
Users are encourage to obtain proceedings through interlibrary loan.
Further consideration may be given to canceling print format subscriptions in favor of electronic access, when such access is considered adequate for our needs. In addition, we may consider purchasing reference works in CD-ROM and computer diskette format. The inclusion of software as part of scientific works is becoming more commonplace, and these materials are selected if the content is appropriate for the collection. Environmental Studies materials are generally designated for the Main library if the primary focus of the work relates to policy or society, or is of an interdisciplinary nature and intended for the non-scientist. Materials that support teaching and research in chemistry as well as other sciences and technology, are generally designated for the Science Library or the Physics Reading Room.