University of Waterloo Library
The accompanying Collection Development Policy Statement is submitted by Kathy
Szigeti, Liaison Librarian for the Earth & Environmental Sciences Department and is approved by the undersigned.
_________________________________
Assistant University Librarian
Information Resources
Susan Routliffe
__________________________________
Liaison Librarian
Kathy Szigeti
___________________________
Department Chair
Barry Warner
___________________________
Faculty Library Representative
John Lin
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATEMENT
EARTH & ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES 2009
PERSONS RESPONSIBLE FOR COLLECTION
The selection of library materials for Earth & Environmental Sciences is the responsibility of the Liaison Librarian, Kathy Szigeti, in consultation with the Faculty
Library Representative, John Lin.
DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION AND PURPOSE
The department supports students, both undergraduate and graduate, and researchers in earth and environmental sciences.
The Earth Sciences undergraduate programme combines traditional geology with contemporary studies in surface and groundwater, atmospheric science, and the engineering properties of rocks and soils.
The Environmental Sciences undergraduate programme is focussed on ecology but includes biology, chemistry, earth sciences, mathematics, and environment and resource studies.
At the graduate level, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programmes are supported. The general area of focus is Environmental Geology. Research areas include: interpretation of geologic and hydrogeologic processes; description and interpretation of modern and ancient geologic environments; and, response of geologic and hydrogeologic systems to human interference. Special fields of study are: isotope hydrology and geochemistry; water cycle modelling; hydrogeology; solid earth sciences; earth surface processes; aqueous and organic geochemistry; and, atmospheric sciences.
Faculty major research areas are in hydrogeology, groundwater modelling and remediation, aqueous, organic and isotope geochemistry, isotope hydrology, atmospheric science, economic geology, mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, engineering geology, geophysics, sedimentology and Quaternary geology.
Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences research groups are:

Waterloo Institute for Groundwater Research (WIGR) ;

Environmental Isotope Laboratory
;

Hydrogeology Geochemistry & Remediation
;

University Consortium for Field-Focused Groundwater Contamination Research;

Canadian Network for Isotopes in Precipitation ;

Organic Geochemistry and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory ; and,
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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
Waterloo Centre for Atmospheric Sciences.
SCOPE OF COVERAGE
Language
English language materials are preferred; however, major foreign language works may be purchased as required to meet special needs.
Dates of Publication
Much of the earth sciences literature remains useful for teaching and research regardless of its age. Even in subject areas where the material of interest in research is recent, some materials needed for teaching encompass the whole history of the subject. While there are no general chronological restrictions, emphasis is placed on materials published in the last 25 years.
Geographical Areas
The following geographical areas are listed in order of priority:
Ontario
Canada
United States of America
South America
Middle East
Oceans
Other Continents
TYPES AND FORMATS OF MATERIALS COLLECTED
In general, the Library does not acquire materials in a format for which access cannot be provided in the Library. Electronic materials are privileged if licensing and usability issues meet our needs.
Maps and atlases, held in the University Map Library, are collected by the Liaison
Librarian and Manager, University Map Library.
Included
The following types of materials are generally included: books; periodicals; reference works; textbooks; symposia, transactions, and conference proceedings; government publications; reports; and, society, association, and other non-governmental organization publications.
Excluded
The following types/formats of materials are generally excluded: films, videos, sound recordings, theses, reprints, patents, standards, and computer applications software.
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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Levels of Collecting
0. Out of Scope
The library does not collect in this subject.
1. Minimal Information Level
The collection supports minimal inquiries about this subject with a limited selection of monographs and reference works.
2. Basic Information Level
The collection serves to introduce and define the subject. Only the most important reference works, general surveys, the most significant works of major authors, and a limited selection of representative general periodicals are collected.
3. Instructional Support Level
The collection supports all courses of undergraduate study. Materials collected include a wide range of reference works, fundamental bibliographic tools, and an extensive collection of monographs and periodicals. Access to owned or remotely-accessed electronic resources, including texts, journals, data sets, etc. is provided.
4. Research Level
The collection includes major published source materials required for master’s degree programmes, doctoral study and independent research in the subject. All formats and appropriate foreign-language titles are acquired. Historically important monographs, archival materials, and back-runs of serials are acquired as necessary.
5. Comprehensive Level
The collection is exhaustive in its depth and scope. All relevant materials, in all formats and applicable languages, are retained and preserved. The collection may be recognised as a national resource.
All collections should be systematically reviewed for currency of information and to ensure that essential and important resources are retained. Superseded editions and titles containing outdated information should be withdrawn as necessary. Classic retrospective materials should be retained and preserved to serve the needs of historical research.
Subject Library of Congress
Classification
Collecting Level
Geomorphology GB 400-649 4
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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Subject
Groundwater
Hydrology
Hydrogeology
Natural disasters
Oceanography
Environmental sciences
Geophysics
Meteorology
Atmospheric sciences
Geology, general
Mineralogy
Petrology
Dynamic and structural geology
Geochemistry
Stratigraphy
Quaternary
Paleontology
Ecology
Geology—health aspects
Environmental engineering
Engineering geology
Library of Congress
Classification
GB 651–2998
Collecting Level
4
GB 5000–5030
GC 1–399
GE
QC 801–809.V3
QC 851–999
QE 1–350.62
QE 351–390.5
QE 420–499
QE 500–639.5
QE 640–699
QE 701–760
QH 540–549.5
RA 565–600
(Environmental health)
TA 170
TA 703–721
3
4
4
4
3
4
4
3
4
2
3
4
4
4
4
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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Subject Library of Congress
Classification
Collecting Level
Economic geology TN 260
(Economic or applied geology and mineralogy)
4
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
The departments of Biology, Geography, Anthropology, Chemistry, and Civil
Engineering, and the Faculty of Environment also have collections in areas of interest related to Earth & Environmental Sciences.
The Library explores opportunities for collaborative purchases with the TriUniversity
Group, Ontario Council of University Libraries, and the Canadian Research Knowledge
Network.
Created 2006 (JS); Revised 2009 (KS)
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