Purpose
The collection supports present and anticipated teaching and research in the field of Psychology and its sub-disciplines.

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: psychology of aging, socio-emotional development, cognition and cognitive development, psychology of learning, aggression, child-abuse, developmental psychophysiology, behavioral medicine, clinical neuropsychology, neuropeptides, speech perception and production, gender-related and neurochemical aspects of learning, developmental disorders in children and adults, psychopharmacology, and computer simulations and mathematical models related to the understanding of neuronal firing patterns.

The Department offers the following degrees: B.A., B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. In addition, the department offers a minor in psychology at the undergraduate level. At the Ph.D. level, students choose from concentrations in Applied Biopsychology and Applied Developmental Psychology. Within the area of Applied Developmental Psychology, the Department has developed a further speciality focus in the area of developmental psychopathology.

The Department offers a number of clinics-- the Psychology Clinic, the Psychological Services Clinic, the Adult Development Disorders Clinic, and a clinic in its developmental stages called the Study of Violence Throughout the Lifespan which combines both Applied Developmental Psychology and Applied Biopsychology concentrations. These in-house facilities offer graduate students the opportunity to participate in applied research projects, practicums, and professional collaborative relationships.

In addition to the support for the specific degree programs of the Psychology Department, the collection, especially in view of its broad interdisciplinary nature, also serves as a resource for undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members in other disciplines. Related departments and programs which cover subjects of interests to Psychology include Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations; Human Performance and Health Promotion; Special Education and Habilitative Services; Sociology, and Biology.

Languages
The language of acquisition is English. Materials in other languages are not normally acquired.

Chronological Guidelines
The primary emphasis is on contemporary research, within the past five years. Limited material on the history of psychology may be acquired to support the collection.

Geographical Guidelines
The primary emphasis is on the United States. Secondary emphasis is on Great Britain. Materials on other European and Asian countries may also be acquired.

Treatment of Subject
Materials are collected in the following areas: theory of and applications in experimental psychology, physiological psychology, developmental psychology, clinical psychology, and social psychology. Also acquired are materials on psychological aspects of individuals and groups with special needs (e.g., elderly persons, handicapped, substance abusers). Materials on the history of psychology, and biographies and critical works on psychologists are not acquired. Therapy manuals for mental health professionals are very selectively acquired. Popular self-help materials are generally not acquired. Parents' guides and family manuals are acquired only if they are major contributions to the field.
Upper-level textbooks are acquired on a selective basis. Elementary textbooks are not normally acquired.

Types of Materials
Serials and monograph publications form the basis for psychology acquisitions. Reference materials, including bibliographies, dictionaries, handbooks, encyclopedias, and directories are acquired. Abstracts and indexes covering psychology are acquired. Theses and dissertations from other institutions are acquired on a highly selective basis.
Publications of U.S. government agencies are acquired either through the U.S. Federal Depository Program or through other sources. Publications of national and international psychological organizations, societies, and congresses are acquired on a selective basis.
Major sets and collections of material which significantly supplement existing resources are acquired as funds permit. Standardized tests are generally not acquired.

Date of Publication
Emphasis is on materials published within the past five years. Current materials are most important. Retrospective materials may be selectively acquired.

Other Resources
The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Library in New Orleans is open to the public and holds many journals pertinent to the research interests of UNO faculty and graduate students in the Psychology Department. Materials may be used at the LSU Health Sciences Center Library, or are available through interlibrary loan.

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