Mathematics Collection Development Policy

The Department of Mathematics offers a full graduate program in Mathematics, and Penn offers ‎a full ‎interdisciplinary graduate program in Applied Mathematics and Computational Science. ‎Mathematics ‎Ph.D. students may apply to joint degree programs in Computer Science or ‎Statistics. Undergraduate ‎students can major in Mathematics and Biological Mathematics.‎

1. Chronological
   
   Emphasis is on current research.
    
2. Formats
   
   The Libraries collects monographic series, monographs, databases, datasets, and journals in print ‎and electronic formats that can be maintained by the Libraries’ infrastructure. Journals are ‎collected with a preference for electronic format, but print is collected if a viable electronic form ‎is unavailable. Perpetual access, user experience, faculty preference, physical space, and cost ‎factor into format decisions.‎
    
3. Geographical
   
   Not applicable
    
4. Language
   
   The primary language is English, however materials in other languages or their translations may ‎also be acquired.‎
    
5. Publication Dates
   
   The emphasis is on current publications.
    
6. Other
   
   The Libraries strives to acquire materials that support equity in learning and research that meet ‎ADA ‎and WC3 accessibility guidelines.‎
   
   The Libraries actively evaluate and support open access publishing models for scholarly work in ‎‎Mathematics. Models are assessed on a case-by-case basis on criteria such as cost, licensing terms, sustainability, and impact on the scholarly communications system.‎

Faculty, staff, and student recommendations, approval plans, and standing orders for monographic ‎series are principle sources for acquisitions. Publishers' catalogs and communications are also ‎consulted.‎

Historical, philosophical, instructional exposition, biographical, bibliographies, dictionaries, ‎general audience, and recreational works.‎

The Lippincott Library collects materials on statistics and the application of mathematics to ‎business. The Engineering and Computer Science Collection offers support for computer science ‎and select aspects of applied mathematics. The Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center collects social science, historical, ‎philosophical, biographical, instructional exposition, bibliographies, dictionaries, general ‎audience, and recreational works.‎

Due to the proximity of the Drexel University Libraries, reciprocal user arrangements have been established. Penn faculty can register at Drexel's libraries for borrowing privileges, and Penn graduate students use letters of introduction to establish borrowing privileges at Drexel. 

• Mathematics