University of Alabama at Birmingham Mervyn H. Sterne Library COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY Mechanical Engineering Purpose and Emphasis: The primary purpose and emphasis of the collection is to support teaching and research at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. Non-engineering undergraduates may minor in mechanical engineering (with an emphasis in either fluid and thermal mechanics or mechanical design). The University offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree (with specializations in mechanical systems - including design, manufacturing, and biomechanics - energy systems, and biofluids; there is also a curriculum for students wishing to satisfy the requirements for admission to a health-professional program), Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree, and Doctor of Philosophy degree (both with specializations in energy systems, mechanical systems, and biomechanics). UAB participates in cooperative programs leading to the Ph.D. which is awarded by the University of Alabama or the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Secondary support is provided for faculty research, as well as research assistance for other library patrons. The interdisciplinary nature of mechanical engineering requires that students and faculty consult related collections in the library. Collection Guidelines: a.) Languages: English is the principal language of the collection. Pertinent works written in
other languages are acquired selectively, and preferably in English translation. b.) Chronological Coverage: Emphasis is on the 20th century, primarily current developments. c.) Geographical Coverage: International. d.) Format: Primarily paper and microforms. Electronic media are acquired selectively. e.) Types of Material: Appropriate types of material include encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, handbooks, indexes, abstracts, bibliographies, biographies, standards, monographs, research reports, conference proceedings, and journals. Pertinent local, state, and federal government documents are acquired, as are the publications and proceedings of professional organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Dissertations and theses are acquired selectively. f.) Treatment of Subject: Publications concerning general mechanical engineering are acquired extensively to support undergraduate studies. In addition, publications concerning energy systems, biofluids, mechanical systems, biomechanics, manufacturing, and machine design are acquired extensively to support undergraduate specializations, graduate studies, and faculty research. Also, publications concerning such topics as fluid and biofluid dynamics, mechanics of solids and fluids, heat transfer, and thermodynamics are acquired extensively to support faculty research. Works of a popular nature are acquired selectively. g.) Date of Publication: Emphasis is on current publications. h.) Reference Collection: The Reference Collection should support the current acquisition practices outlined in the Mechanical Engineering collection development statement. To this end, major English language abstracts, indexes, and bibliographies are acquired to provide
access to engineering and related literature. Standard engineering dictionaries, biographical references, encyclopedias, handbooks, directories, and yearbooks should be updated regularly. i.) Acquisition Plans Affecting the Collection: 1.) Standing Orders: Engineering Fracture Mechanics Fluid Dynamics Journal of Applied Mechanics Journal of Fluid Mechanics Tribology Transactions 2.) Blanket Orders: None. 3.) Approval Plans: None. j.) Deselection/Replacement: Currency is of primary importance. Every effort is made to ensure that the collection is up-to-date and relevant to the degree programs offered. Thus, erroneous and dated materials are prime candidates for deselection or replacement, unless they retain some seminal or historical value. Current editions of standard reference works are acquired on an ongoing basis. Materials are evaluated for deselection or replacement in accordance with the General Collection Development Policy statement on Deselection/Replacement and in consultation with the faculty of the Mechanical Engineering department. Related Subject Statements: Biomedical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical
and Computer Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering; Mathematics, Physics. Additional Resources: Online databases, other academic and special libraries in the state (for example, Lister Hill Library for the Health Sciences, Auburn University libraries, the University of Alabama libraries, Southern Research Institute, Redstone Scientific Information Center), and the interlibrary loan service at Sterne Library. Collection Assessment Tools: Sheehey, Eugene. Guide to Reference Books. 10th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 1986. Balay, Robert. Guide to Reference Books: Covering Materials from 1985-1990. Supplement to the 10th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 1992. Books for College Libraries: A Core Collection of 50,000 Titles. 3rd ed. Vol. 5: Psychology, Science, Technology, Bibliography. Chicago: American Library Association, 1988. Katz, Bill and Linda Sternberg Katz. Magazines for Libraries. 7th ed. Providence, NJ: R.R. Bowker, 1992. Chen, Ching-Chih. Scientific and Technical Information Sources. 2nd ed. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1987. Malinowsky, H. Robert and Jeanne M. Richardson. Science and Engineering Literature: A Guide to Reference Sources. 3rd ed. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited, 1980. Powell, Russell H. and James R. Powell Jr. Core List of Books and Journals in Science and Technology.
Phoenix, AZ: Oryx, 1987. Classification Categories That Define the Scope of the Collection: T, TA, TJ, TL, QC, QM, QP Recommended Collection Level: 4F