The Libraries seek to support research, instruction, and outreach in the area of animal science. The major areas of scholarship are domestic animal genetics, nutrition, physiology, growth biology, and management systems.

Emphasis is upon domestic livestock and production animals, including dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats, swine, and poultry with selective interest in wildlife (e.g and., deer fur-animal) raising, fish farming (aquaculture), and nutrition and genetics of domestic animals, including dogs.

The following areas are not collected: Anatomy, treatment of diseases, and the care and physiology of zoo animals, horses, laboratory animals and pets, all of which are collected by the Veterinary Library. There is little interest in non-food animal products (e.g., feathers, furs, hides) and their processing.

Materials on horse racing, riding, training, carriage driving are not acquired as well as trapping. Also not collected are materials on raising and training purebred dog and cat breeds and other pet animals.