The Libraries seek to support research and instruction in the biological sciences and physical anthropology. Particular areas of collection strength include genetics, molecular and structural biology, biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, evolutionary biology, zoology, plant physiology, developmental biology, and cell biology. It supports the needs of undergraduate and Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, researchers and staff.

The following changes in the user population were observed during the final half of the 1990’s: The department has greatly expanded the offerings for non-science majors, and as a result the number of undergraduates using the library has greatly increased. The amount of money spent for undergraduate reserve material has also increased. The department is currently recruiting a geneticist and a biochemist that would not require additional support. The department also plans to recruit a structural biologist and when those plans are consummated, added materials will be needed. There is a new and expanding interest in structural biology.

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

1. Formats collected: We collect annuals, monographs, periodicals, reference tools and scholarly series extensively. Audio-visual materials, CD-ROMs and other electronic tools are collected selectively. Dissertations, maps and newspapers are excluded.
2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current and 20^th century publications extensively and 19^th and earlier centuries are excluded.
3. Languages Collected: We collect English extensively, French, German, Spanish and Russian selectively, and all others are excluded.
4. Place of Publication: We collect materials published in North America and Western Europe extensively, Russian and Indian selectively, and all others are excluded.