Physics Library Information

• About the Library
• Collections
• Circulation
• Course Reserves
• Reference
• Copying & Printing
• Computing

The Physics Library is located in the Physics Building (825 Dickson Street) Room 221.

• Caitlin Kennedy
  Physics Library Supervisor
  ckennedy@uark.edu
  575-2505
  
  
• Patricia Kirkwood
  Engineering, Mathematics and Physics Librarian
  Interim Head, Physics Library
  pkirkwo@uark.edu
  575-2480
  
  
• Balaji Srinivasan
  Graduate Assistant - Physics
  sriniva@uark.edu
  575-2505
  
  

The Physics Library is a full-service branch of the University Libraries. It supports the information and reading needs of students, faculty, and staff in the areas of teaching and study, independent learning, research, and service. The library coordinates access to and makes available information and resources in physics and related disciplines in all formats. Located in the Physics Building, library services include online circulation, course reserves, online catalog (Infolinks), reference and research consultations, user instruction and document delivery. The Physics Library and its services are managed under the auspices of the University Libraries and conform to the general practice and policies established for Mullins Library. Requests for exceptions or accommodations for special circumstances are considered when submitted to the subject librarian for Physics.

In 1929 the Physics Library began as a small collection of books and journals purchased by the department. It was located in two bookshelves in Dr. Paul Sharra's office in the basement of Old Main. The Physics material was transferred to its present building in 1960. In 1992 with the renovation of the physics building, the Physics Library collections were moved across the hall to its present quarters.

The library's main emphasis is on providing primary literature published in journals. In addition the library collects graduate textbooks, monographs and serials in the fields of atomic and molecular physics, lasers and photothermal spectroscopy, laser physics, condensed matter physics, nonlinear optics, quantum optics, quantum electronics, mathematical physics, superconductivity, novel magnetic materials, physics of micro and nanostructures, photonics, astrophysics, physics education, and physics and society. The library supports undergraduate instruction with a collection of the most important textbooks, which serve as reference books for undergraduates. The library does not collect textbooks used for courses.

The Physics Library’s collection is supplemented by materials of interest to faculty and students with the collections of monographs and journals in print and online in Mullins Library and in the Chemistry Library.

The books and serials are organized on the shelves in Call Number order (LC Classification).
The current and bound journals are arranged on the shelves in alphabetical order.

Books, serials and journals are shelved in Call Number order (LC Classification)

Call Numbers have three to five lines. The books are arranged by call numbers in the following way:

• Line 1: Books are grouped by letter{s) in alphabetical order.
• Line 2: Books with same letter(s) on line 1 are arranged in Sub-groups by numbers on line 2 in ascending order.]
• Line 3: Books with the same lines 1 and 2 are organized first by a letter alphabetically and then by a number in ascending order. The number on line 3 is always a “decimal number” whether the decimal is shown or not: For example, .I 6713 is shelved before .T7 because .6713 is smaller than .7
• Line 4: Some call numbers have a fourth line which is either a combination of a letter and numbers or it is the year of publication.
  (a) If line 4 is a letter and number, same shelving rules apply as for line 3, that is, the books are arranged first by letter in alphabetical order and then by number in ascending order. The number is again always a decimal number whether the decimal is shown or not.
  (b) If line 4 is the “year of publication” the books are arranged by the date of publication.
• Line 5: Sometimes the year of publication is shown on line 5.
  Note: The third and fourth lines of the call numbers are decimal numbers

The Physics Library follows the circulation policies as listed on the main Mullins Library Circulation page, with one exception: current and bound issues of journals in physics and chemistry do not circulate. Journals are for in-library use only.

Class notes, exams, problem sets, books, and other reading materials for Physics and Chemistry classes are available for checkout at the library desk (Room 221 Physics Building). Professors' materials can be checked out for two hours and cannot leave the library unless otherwise requested by the professor. Most reserve books can be checked out for 2 hours, or overnight if they are checked out less than 2 hours before the library closes.

NOTE: Not all classes have materials on reserve in the library. Some class materials might be on reserve at Mullins Library. You can find this information at Reserve Materials in InfoLinks.

Reference assistance is available 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday.

The Library has one photocopier available for use by the general public. Copies may be made with the University ID card using Razorbuck$. Copies made with Razorbuck$ cost 12c each.

Guest Razorbuck$ cards may be purchased at the Campus Card Office or in the Mullins Library Copy Room.

You may add value to your Razorbuck$ account by visiting the Value Transfer Station (VTS) in the Mullins Library Copy Room or by visiting the online Campus Card page.

Printing from our library computers is available for free.

Nine workstations are available for library research.

In addition, wireless access for current UA students, faculty, and staff is now available in the Physics Library. More about campus wireless...