The addition of hundreds of new journals is "significantly expanding" Mississippi State's library holdings and supporting a university goal of becoming a major national research institution.

The campus library system is adding journals in two phases. The process follows a series of campus meetings held to determine exactly what publications were needed.

In the recently completed first phase, nearly 400 journals were ordered in a range of subjects that support MSU's teaching and research missions, said Dean of Libraries Frances Coleman. Nearly 10,000 journals eventually will be available.

"We're also adding a significant number of electronic journals," she said. "Our plan is to continue to provide resources that help support the teaching needs of faculty and enhance the university's efforts to move into the ranks of the nation's top research universities."

One of Mississippi State's strategic goals is to gain membership in the Association of Research Libraries, which currently includes no Mississippi libraries.