The Libraries seek to support research in theoretical and experimental physics, theoretical and experimental astrophysics, and physics-related research being conducted in applied physics, nuclear engineering, chemistry and chemical engineering, electrical engineering, the Lamont Doherty Observatory and the Nevis Labs. It supports the needs of undergraduate and Ph.D. students, the teaching faculty, post-docs, and research staff members.

During the first half of the 1990’s, the following changes have been observed: The department has added new faculty in condensed matter physics, astrophysics and high energy physics. Undergraduate courses for non-majors have increased in number and there are more undergraduates using the library and reserve collections.

New courses recently introduced include condensed matter, astrophysics and high energy.

Areas of established specialization are theoretical and experimental atomic, nuclear and particle physics; mathematical physics; optics; radiation; radioactivity; cosmology and astrophysics. Less comprehensive collection in mechanics, electromagnetics, acoustics, thermodynamics, solid state physics, and molecular and chemical physics.

Overall, the Libraries’ existing collection, its current acquisitions commitment, based upon available resources, and its collecting goal for Physics 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, dissertations, textbooks and other electronic tools selectively, and maps and newspapers very selectively.
2. Imprint Dates Collected: We collect current and 20^th century publications extensively and earlier nineteenth-century materials selectively. Older materials are excluded.
3. Languages Collected: We collect English language materials extensively and Russian, German, French, Spanish, and Italian materials selectively. All others are excluded.
4. Place of Publication: We collect North American and Western European materials extensively and all others selectively.