Guidelines for Biology

Table of Contents

1. Purpose
2. General Collection Guidelines
    A. Language
    B. Chronology
    C. Geography
    D. Publication Date
    E. Treatment of Subject
    F. Types of Materials and Formats
3. Area Resources
4. Subjects and Collecting Levels
5. Methodology

 


1. Purpose.


The biology collection supports the B.S. and M.S. in Biology. Areas of specialization include molecular and cellular biology, terrestrial and aquatic ecology, systematics, and physiology and developmental biology. The biology collection supplements and supports the M.S. and the Ph.D. programs in Microbiology, Anatomy, Biochemistry, Human Genetics, Pathology, and Physiology. The collection also supports the programs of the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Basic Health Sciences, Nursing, and Pharmacy. Advanced Functional Anatomy is offered for students in the Department of Occupational Therapy. Biology students may take courses in the School of Basic Health Sciences and can rely on collections in these areas. Students and faculty in Chemistry, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, and Environmental Health may also have an interest in the biology collection.

2. General Collection Guidelines.

A. Language.
English is the primary language for the monographic and serials collections. Foreign or multi-language journal and monographic titles are purchased selectively, particularly research works of international importance or value.

B. Chronology.
Materials in the history of biology are collected to a limited extent.

C. Geography.
Materials pertaining to specific animal and plant habitats other than Europe and the Americas are collected selectively. Other aspects of biology are collected regardless of geographical coverage.

D. Publication Date.
Emphasis is on current imprints, particularly the latest editions of core texts and treatises.

E. Treatment of Subject.
Primary emphasis is on graduate and professional texts reporting current research. Popular works such as nature guides are purchased selectively. The collection is used by faculty and students on both campuses for both undergraduate and graduate studies and research. General biology monographs, serials, and reference materials, particularly those dealing with plant and animal biology, are located in the James Branch Cabell Library. Upper level and advanced materials in specific areas of biology, particularly human genetics, bacteriology, and mycology, are located in Tompkins-McCaw Library.

F. Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographs and periodicals are the principal formats. Indexes, abstracts, encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, bibliographies, data tables and charts, atlases, as well as conference proceedings and symposia are also collected. Audiovisual materials, principally videotapes, slides, and slide-audio-tapes are purchased for the Learning Resource Centers. Acquisition of serials takes precedence over that of monographs.

3. Area Resources.


There are no comparable resources in the area.

4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.

Subject  Call Number Range Present  Desired
General Natural History QH1-278 C1  C1
General Biology, Human Genetics QH301-530 B
Ecology  QH540-549 C1  C1
Botany  QK1-989 C1  C1
Zoology, Anatomy QL1-971 B
Physiology. Human Physiology. Phenomena of Animal Life. Physiology of the Tissues. QP1-348 B

5. Methodology.


Primary sources for assessment:
    Books for College Libraries. 3d ed. Vol. 5. Chicago: American Library Association, 1988.

    Haselbauer, Kathleen. A Research Guide to the Health Sciences. New York: Greenwood Press, 1987.

    Science Citation Index 1988 Guide. Philadelphia: Institute for Scientific Information, 1989.