Information Services

Collection Development Policy

Mathematics and Computer Science

Purpose

Mathematics

The collection supports present and anticipated research and teaching in the field of mathematics and its subdisciplines.   Areas of emphasis include theoretical and applied mathematics, mathematical statistics and the history of mathematics.   Materials collected in mathematics support interdisciplinary programs and research in all areas of science and social science.   There is some overlap with the education department for materials pertaining to the study and teaching of mathematics.

Computer Science

The collection in computer science primarily supports the research and instruction needs of the faculty and students in the department.   The collection is also a resource for faculty and students in other disciplines that use computers in their research.   Additionally, materials acquired support the Ammerman Center for Arts and Technology which explores the relationship between arts and technology and the larger context of technology within the liberal arts.

General Subject Boundaries

The Mathematics Department has research and teaching interests that are broadly based including the following areas:   algebraic graph theory, enumeration, algorithms and analysis, classification techniques, geometric issues, math and the arts, mathematics in literature, operator theory, complex analysis and ethnomathematics.   Faculty research needs will be accommodated within the scope of the general guidelines and limits of the materials budget. In general, the Library does not collect textbooks or multiple copies of materials.

The Computer Science Department also has broadly based teaching and research interests including: data structures, computer architecture, software design, algorithms, programming languages, object-oriented programming, artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality, 3D graphics, digital signal processing, music perception and cognition modeling, and computer-user interfaces for musical applications.

Faculty are encouraged to submit purchase requests and make recommendations to the departmental liaison. The liaison, in consultation with the Director of Information Resources, will make the final purchasing decision.

The periodic removal (weeding or deselection) of extraneous and obsolete materials from the shelves will be conducted using the criteria outlined in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy.

Types of Material Collected

Books, conference proceedings, periodicals and reference materials including dictionaries, directories, encyclopedias, bibliographies and collected works.

Reference materials in electronic formats are collected (ie MathSciNet and Applied Science and Technology Index) but are generally selected by library staff and paid for from funds designated for reference.

Software is acquired on a highly selective basis with funds and support from the Instructional Technology team in Information Services.  

Format of Materials Collected

The collection includes material in print and online format.   Generally, the Library will subscribe to journals in one format only, and preference will be given to electronic format when available with the exceptions listed in the Collection Development and Information Access Policy. Preference will also be given to electronic indexes with full text access to journal articles when coverage is comparable.

Languages

English is the primary language.   Translations into English of significant works are also acquired.  

Geographical Areas

There are no particular geographical distinctions to be drawn within the subject matter of mathematics.

Chronological Scope

Current materials are emphasized.   Secondary materials on the history of mathematics including biographical materials are also collected.

Special Collections and Manuscripts

Shain Library's Special Collections has several early editions of important mathematical works including the 1st edition of the Grammar of Ornament (1856), the Principia Mathematica (1910) and Huttons Mathematical Dictionary (1795).

The acquisition of primary source materials, rare books, codices, and other special collections materials will be determined by the Special Collections Librarian.

Other Resources Available

Currently registered students and Connecticut College faculty and staff have access to monographs, audiovisual materials, and government documents from Trinity College and Wesleyan University through the CTW Consortium. Interlibrary loan provides access to monographs not held within the CTW Consortium as well as journal articles not available at Connecticut College .

Creation and Revision History

Draft document created March 2005 by Kathy Gehring, Library Liaison to the Mathematics & Computer Science Department.

Draft forwarded to Kathy McKeon, Chair of the Mathematics Department and Gary Parker, Chair of the Computer Science Department for review and comment.

LC Class

QA

Ordering Library Materials

Recommendations and requests for purchase of mathematics and computer science materials should be addressed to Kathy Gehring, Shain Library.

Collection Development and Information Access Policy

The Collection Development and Information Access Policy can be viewed at:   http://www.conncoll.edu/is/info-resources/colldevpolicy.html

Liaison

Kathy Gehring
Research & Instruction Librarian
Charles E. Shain Library
Connecticut College
(860) 439-5225
kmgeh@conncoll.edu