Format decisions follow the General Collection Development Policy by default, but allow for considerations of requester preference, curricular needs, and other factors.
- Journals are electronic, with perpetual access whenever possible, and include the offerings of all the major scholarly publishers in the field. Electronic journal backfiles are purchased to augment available content or replace print, based on requests, usage data, and space considerations.
- Monographs are preferentially purchased as e-books to support wider access, particularly for edited, individually-authored chapter works. Exceptions may be made at individual user request.
- Bibliographic Databases provide access to the extensive literature of the field and are exclusively purchased in electronic format.
- Conference Literature access is generally met through purchase of published proceedings.
- Video, either in DVD or streaming format, is purchased on faculty request, as budget allows.
- Maps are primarily available electronically via government sources. There is a print map collection at the Catherine O’Connor Library at Weston Observatory.
- General/layman-focused materials are acquired to support first-level, scientific literacy/non-major courses. Biographical information is also acquired for much the same purpose.