Physics and Engineering Physics Collection Policy

The library collects monographs, monographic series, reference books, and periodicals, with the main focus being the journal collection. Symposium and colloquium proceedings are considered upon request. The library does not generally collect theses or dissertations by authors other than Tulane students, patents, technical reports, standards or specifications. Videorecordings may are considered upon request of faculty members.

To broaden accessibility, journals are sought online when this format is available. Print may be cancelled to reduce costs when ownership of the online version is assured. Online access that requires additional costs with a print subscription will be sought selectively within the amount budgeted for physics journals. Monographs and other types are generally purchased in electronic format. Other formats are considered, especially when the alternative format would improve access or utility. Most scientific abstracting and indexing sources are available as databases searchable online. The library rarely maintains a subscription to both the print and the database version of an index, although the volumes previous to the existence of the database are always retained.