Collections: Mechanical Engineering Policy

Program Description

The program in Mechanical Engineering was discontinued following Hurricane Katrina.



Subject Resource Guide

http://library.tulane.edu/research/subject_detail.php?id=29



Scope

Materials are added selectively in support of other areas of research and teaching, primarily in physics, biomedical engineering, and chemical engineering.



Type

The library collects monographs, monographic series, reference books, and periodicals, with the main focus being the journal collection. Upper level textbooks are purchased selectively; recent lower-level texts may be accepted as gifts. Textbooks used in current courses are not acquired. Symposium and colloquium proceedings are bought 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 be purchased upon request.



Format

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 and the image quality is adequate. Online access that requires additional costs with a print subscription will be sought selectively within the amount budgeted for mechanical engineering journals. Monographs and other types (see above) are generally purchased as printed text. 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.



Language

English is the predominant language of publication, but some foreign language journals are collected at the request of the faculty.



Chronological Period

Emphasis is on current research. Historical material in this area is considered if requested by the faculty.



Imprint Date

Preference is given to items published within the last two or three years. Items with older imprint dates are sought selectively. Out-of-print materials are sought mostly to replace important works damaged or missing from the collection or by request.



Geographical Considerations

No geographic restrictions are applied.



Related Collections

Other Tulane libraries of special interest for mechanical engineering include the Mathematics Research Library in Gibson Hall and the Tulane Medical Library.



Cooperative Resources



Supply Sources

Notices for recently published materials and a limited numbers of books are automatically delivered to the library through an approval plan from Blackwell's Book Services and Blackwell Oxford. Most other books are purchased individually and also through Blackwell at a discount rate.



Endowed Funds

The Harrod Fund is available to purchase materials in any area of engineering, while the Class of 1902 Fund may be used for books in any area of science.



Selection Tools

Reviews such as those from Choice, from mechanical engineering journals, and recommendations from faculty, staff, and students are all sources of possible additions to the collection. Book notices automatically delivered to the library through the Blackwell Plan are scanned for new material and for new editions of titles.