Guidelines for Environmental Studies

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

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1. Purpose.

Collections in Chemistry support a research agenda consistent with research enterprise at a Carnegie Research Intensive (Very High Research) institution with bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in the field.

The department offers B.S. and M.S. degrees. The undergraduate programs are interdisciplinary in nature linking areas of environmental life sciences, technology, and policy. The graduate programs provide three options: Master of Environmental Studies (thesis option) for those who wish to pursue research in the environmental field; Master of Environmental Studies (the non-thesis option) which is a terminal two-year professional degree for those working in the private/public sector of the environmental field; and a Ph.D. through the Integrative Life Sciences Program.

The collection supports national and international research in environmental science, policy, health and technology. Areas of particular strengths include large river management and restoration, carbon nutrient, and sediment dynamics; environmental risk assessment, conservation biology, sustainability and environmental applications of geospatial technologies, including GIS and remote sensing.

 

2. General Collection Guidelines.

A. Language.
English is the primary language of the collection. Foreign or multi-language monographic and serial titles are collected selectively, particularly research works of international importance or value.

B. Chronology.
No restrictions.

C. Geography.
Faculty affiliates collaborate with colleagues in many countries such as Haiti, Panama, Bangladesh, Lithuania, and Italy. These collaborative relationships influence acquisition in this discipline..

D. Publication Date.
Emphasis is on current imprints, particularly the latest editions of core texts. Older materials, for example, classics, are added to the collection whenever necessary. Journal backfiles are purchased to fill gaps and to augment the collection.

E. Treatment of Subject.
Primary source materials, including government reports and documents, conference papers and proceedings, and other reports, are collected. Textbooks are acquired if they focus on or provide a thorough analysis of techniques and philosophy.

F. Types of Materials and Formats.
Monographs and periodicals are the principal materials with preference for electronic format. Conference proceedings and symposia are also collected. Video materials support teaching and research in the department.

 

3. Area Resources.

The government documents collection provides access to most major federal and state government information that concerns the environment. Students and faculty have access to the Library of Virginia, the Public Law Library, and libraries at local universities, including the Union PSCE, the University of Richmond, and Virginia Union University. VCU is also a member of the Richmond Area Library Cooperative (RALC) consortia and the Center for Research Libraries.

 

4. Subjects and Collecting Levels.

Resources for Environmental Studies are collected at a research level (4).