Purpose
The collection supports present and anticipated teaching and research in the field of geography and its subdisciplines. At present, the central focus of the department and the chief interests of the faculty are encompassed in the following areas of teaching and research: physical, cultural, and economic geography, historical geography, environmental geography, meteorology and climatology, rural and urban geography, cartography, computer cartography, remote sensing, geographic information systems, and environmental assessment.

The department offers a B.A. in Geography, as well as a minor. Students majoring in Geography may pursue a General Geography track, an Environmental Analysis track, or a Geographic Information Systems track. Certification in Cartography, Remote Sensing, or Geographic Information Systems is also available to majors.

The department also offers an M.A. in Geography, which offers advanced training in four general areas:

land-use analysis
environmental analysis
cartography, remote sensing, and geographic information systems
cultural and regional geography

In addition to the support for the specific degree programs of the Geography department, the collection, especially in view of its broad interdisciplinary nature, also serves as a resource for undergraduate and graduate students in other disciplines. Related colleges, departments, colleges, and programs covering subjects of interest to Geography include: Anthropology, Sociology, Urban and Public Affairs, History, and Geology.

Language
The primary language of acquisition is English. Materials in languages other than English will be acquired very selectively.

Chronological Guidelines
The collection emphasizes current research, although materials dealing with the history of the discipline of geography will be acquired. In addition, the subdiscipline of historical geography requires some materials dating from earlier time periods.

Geographical Guidelines
Although emphasis is placed on the study of North America, and Central America, materials dealing with other parts of the world will be selectively acquired.

Treatment of Subject
A variety of materials is collected in geography, but emphasis is placed on published research in the subdisciplines of geography (e.g., cultural or physical geography) and on geographical analyses of particular areas. Research into computer applications in geography is collected, as well as works on the methodology of the discipline. Juvenile and popular materials are generally not collected. Textbooks are acquired on a very selective basis.

Types of Material
Monographs and serial publications form the basis for acquisitions. Reference materials, including bibliographies, handbooks, and dictionaries are acquired. The major abstracting and indexing sources in the field (Geographical Abstracts and Current Geographical Publications) are acquired. Atlases are still an important area of acquisition in this field, though selection of these materials will be done very selectively. Theses and dissertations from other institutions are not normally acquired. Maps and other publications of U.S. government agencies appropriate to the study of geography are acquired through the U.S. Federal Depository program, but may be ordered. Major sets and collections of material which significantly supplement existing resources are acquired when funds permit.

Date of Publication
Emphasis is on materials published within the last decade years, with retrospective materials acquired selectively.

Related Policy Statements
Other information related to Geography will be found in the following policy statements: