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Naval Science

Collection Policy Statement Index

(Class V and Z6831-6837 as appropriate.)

I. Introduction
II. Scope
III. Research strengths
IV. Comparisons with other major research collections
V. General policy
VI. Collection levels

I. Introduction

This Collections Policy Statement concerns those materials pertaining to the field of naval science, including naval life, navies (international), naval administration, maintenance, sailors, marines, ordnance, the minor services, navigation (merchant marine), and shipbuilding. The Library of Congress acquires for its permanent collections all of the important works in naval science, and a representative sample of less important works.

II. Scope

The field of naval science is treated in Classes V through VM in the Library of Congress classification system. These classes cover the following:

V Naval Science (General)
VA Navies, organization, description, facilities, etc.
VB Naval administration
VC Naval maintenance
VD Naval seamen
VE Marines
VF Naval ordnance
VG Minor services of navies
VK Navigation. Merchant marine
VM Naval architecture. Shipbuilding, Marine engineering

In addition, there are naval bibliographies in Class Z6834-6837, and significant works in Class D such as military and naval histories concerned with particular wars. Class E should be consulted for American naval biography, history, and naval documents. Class N includes works on marine paintings and drawings important for help with identifying ship types, shore facilities, and aspects of life at sea. Class C77 is concerned with underwater archaeology.

III. Research strengths

The Library's collections include a wide range of domestic works that fall into the category of naval science; works produced in foreign countries are less well represented, particularly publications of maritime and naval museums printed in limited editions. The Library's Rare Book and Special Collections Division includes works on naval science, and the Geography & Map Division has a very large collection of maritime atlases and charts invaluable in the study of naval history. The Microform Reading Room has a comprehensive collection of U.S. dissertations, reproductions of many monographs pertaining to naval science, as well as certain early serials unavailable in paper. The Library's large collection of newspapers yield contemporary accounts of events unavailable in other sources. The Law Library has a rich collection of statutes that cover naval matters as well as Admiralty Court proceedings. The Technical Reports Section, in the Science, Technology and Business Division, receives on microfiche from the Defense Technology Information Center (DTIC) all unclassified statements relating to policy and procedure, including the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). DTIC's remarkable and voluminous collection of documents comes from all branches of the military.

IV. Comparisons with other research institutions

Other libraries with extensive book collections in naval science include the Navy Department Library at the Washington Navy Yard; Nimitz Library at the United States Naval Academy; the United States Naval War College Library; the John Hay Library and the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University; Widener Library at Harvard University; the New York Public Library; and the Hoover Institution on War, Revolution & Peace Library at Stanford University. In addition, maritime museum libraries with good collections include the Mariners' Museum; the Peabody Essex Museum; and Mystic Seaport Museum.

V. General policy

The Library collects scholarly materials in the field of naval science, particularly new research, information, and analysis. Naval history, strategy, customs, and the role of armed forces throughout the world are all pertinent materials for selection. The Library avoids selecting repetitive or derivative publications, as well as popularized treatments suitable for students and laymen.

VI. Collection levels, V Class - Naval Science

LC Classification	Subject	Current Intensity
V1-995	Naval Science (General)	4
720-743	Naval life, manners and customs	4
750-795	War vessels: Construction, armament	4
VA10-750	Navies: Organization, description, facilities, etc.	4
VB15-955	Naval administration	4
VC10-580	Naval maintenance	4
VD7-430	Naval seamen	4
VE7-500	Marines	4
VF20-580	Naval ordnance	4
VG20-2029	Minor services of navies	4
VK1-1661	Navigation. Merchant marine	4
588-597	Marine hydrography. Hydrographic surveying	4
600-794	Tide and current tables	4
798-997	Sailing directions. Pilot guides	4
1000-1249	Lighthouse service	4
1300-1491	Saving of life and property	4
1500-1661	Pilots and pilotage	4
VM1-989	Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering	4
Z6831-6837	Bibliographies	4

Approved August, 2000

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