University of Virginia Library

Section A. General Science.

There are three libraries in Virginia which contain almost

exactly 2,000 volumes in general science: the State Library, the
library of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and the library of
the University of Virginia. Yet these form an excellent illustration
of the fact that differences may exist among collections
numerically equal. The material at the State Library represents
the whole field and includes files of two dozen or more serials,
mainly the publications of American museums and scientific
societies. The collection at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute
contains runs of thirty-eight general science periodicals or
society serials, and there are interesting groups of works on the
history and on the philosophy of science. At the University of
Virginia the serial section of the collection in general science
includes the publications of twenty academies of science, a
number of which are foreign.

Two other Virginia libraries deserve mention in this connection.
At the College of William and Mary there are 1,250 volumes
in general science, which include thirty periodicals and an unusual
number of early works — works, that is, which were published
before 1800. At the Virginia Military Institute the central
library contains 858 volumes in general science, including a
number of American periodicals, and there is a separate departmental
library housing a number of general works.