The USGS Library – A National Resource
USGS Library's Online Catalog Gets a New Look
Geography Discipline Library Collections Transferred to USGS Library, Reston, VA

The USGS Library – A National Resource –– 28 October 2004

Read the article in People, Land & Water

USGS Library's Online Catalog Gets a New Look –– 01 May 2004

Ever wanted to see what you have checked out? How about saving your search history while searching the Library's online catalog? Interested in additional limiting ability for your searches? The Library has upgraded its web interface and these are just a few of the improvements now available at your desktop. You can even revise your contact information (borrower card and PIN required). Try the new interface now at http://igsrglib03.er.usgs.gov:8080 or drop in at your local regional library’s reference desk for a demonstration. Soon this version will replace the one currently in use at the libraries' public terminals as well on the web.

Geography Discipline Library Collections Transferred to USGS Library, Reston, VA –– 17 March 2003

In fall 2002, the USGS National Mapping Division (NMD) Reference Collection Library in Reston, Virginia was closed. Preparations were made for the USGS Library to accept its book and serials collection as well as the historic topographic map archive. The book collection has been moved to staging space within the USGS Library. Its contents are being cataloged and integrated into the main library collection. Selected journal subscriptions are being added to the USGS Library collection.

Responsibility for the historic topographic map archive was formally transferred to the USGS Library in March 2003. However, the archive will be maintained as a special collection in its present space (Room 2B-125, USGS National Center, Reston, Virginia). Service hours are 1-3 p.m. Monday through Friday. For access to this collection at other times, contact the USGS Library’s reference desk at 703-648-4302. The USGS Library also has a large collection of these maps, accessible during the normal library hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The topographic map archive is probably the most complete collection of USGS topographic maps. It includes each U.S. state and territory as well as all scales, editions, and various printings of these maps. Coverage dates from the 1880’s, when the USGS began publishing standard topographic quadrangles.