Border Crossing in a Research University

Abstract

As researchers continue to probe across disciplinary boundaries in their work, it is essential for research libraries to support their need to consult, learn, and analyze information resources that are far afield. This support is increasingly difficult to provide during fiscally tight periods yet today's stretched economic climate may help libraries facilitate cooperative ventures where they might occur. Our exploratory study reports on a university-wide collection monograph approval profiling project undertaken in a research library and focuses on the results with its Geography Department. Analysis of the approval profile for books to be purchased by Geography for its faculty and students can provide guideposts to actively nurture interdisciplinary information environments within and across disciplinary boundaries.