Purpose and Program Description

The Libraries seek to support research in theoretical and experimental astronomy, astrophysics and cosmology, astrometrics, planetary science and solar, stellar and extragalactic astronomy. It supports the needs of undergraduate, Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, and research staff members.

The following changes in the user population were observed during the first half of the 1990’s: Astronomy graduate student enrollment has increased by three students (making a total of 12). The astrophysics and astronomy programs are trying to recruit an additional faculty member with a laboratory team who works in astrophysics.

General Selection Guidelines (See classed analysis for detailed statement)

Overall, the Libraries’ existing collection, its current acquisitions commitment, based upon available resources, and its collecting goal for Astronomy are all at the research level.

Specific Delimitations

1. Formats collected: We collect annuals, monographs, periodicals, reference tools and scholarly series extensively and CD-Roms, maps, other electronic tools, and textbooks selectively. Audio/visual materials, dissertations and newspapers are excluded.

2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current and 20^th century publications extensively, 19th century materials selectively, and older materials are excluded.

3. Languages Collected: We collect English language materials extensively and Russian, German, French, Spanish, and Italian materials selectively.

4. Place of Publication: We collect North American and Western European materials extensively, and materials from all other countries selectively.