The Libraries seek to support research in minerals, metallurgy, and materials science (which encompasses many areas of chemistry, physics, biology, engineering, and medicine). It supports the needs of undergraduates, MA/MS students and Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, and research staff members.

During the first half of the 1990’s, the number of graduate students has increased and Material Science items are used by many disciplines.

New courses recently introduced include work on nanostructures, surfaces, new materials, optical materials and electronics.

Areas of established specialization: Mining and metallurgy are traditional areas but there are new techniques being written about. Materials science is a burgeoning field.

Overall, the Libraries’ existing collection and current acquisitions commitment, based upon available resources, for Mines, Metallurgy & Materials Science are at the study and teaching level. Its collecting goal, however, is at the research level.

1. Formats collected: We collect monographs and reference tools extensively and annuals, CD-Roms, other electronic tools, periodicals, scholarly series and textbooks selectively. Audio-visual materials, dissertations, maps and newspapers are excluded.
2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current publications extensively and 20th century materials selectively.
3. Chronological Focus: We collect materials focusing on current research topics extensively and 20th century topics selectively.
4. Languages Collected: We collect English language materials extensively and German and French language materials very selectively.
5. Place of Publication: We collect North American and Western European publications extensively and Japanese and former USSR publications selectively.