Notice! In observance of Presidents Day and Inauguration Day – the USGS Reston Library will be closed January 16th and January 20th. All other USGS Library branches will be closed January 16th only.

Welcome to the largest earth science library in the world! Established in 1879 to build and organize a collection of scientific materials in the earth sciences, the U.S. Geological Survey Library is now the largest library for earth sciences in the world. The Library includes four central libraries and is part of Core Science Systems within the USGS.

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U.S. Geological Survey Library: Access & Outreach The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Libraries Program provides access to geoscience print and online information sources, as well as instruction on finding and using the geoscience information. Learn how to find and use USGS publication and data sources available from … Continue reading → Collaborative Digitization in the USGS Libraries The USGS Libraries have joined the collaboration between USGS Human Resources and Chantilly High School‘s Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP), which transitions special needs students to workplace environments and teaches them professional skills.  In the Libraries, three student interns … Continue reading → Research Services at the USGS Denver Library By Emily C. Wild and Keith J. Van Cleave The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) was established March 3, 1879, by the Organic Act (20 Stat. 394; 43 U.S.C. 31), which included creation of a USGS Library. In 1946, the USGS … Continue reading → Researching the Russian Crown Jewels The USGS Libraries are proud to present the official press release of the discovery of previously unknown images of the Russian Crown Jewels. You can also listen to the podcast and view the media gallery. Any new information related to … Continue reading → Book Containing Images of the Tavernier Blue (Hope Diamond) Available Online A book containing the earliest known images of the Tavernier Blue diamond later called the French Blue and now known as the Hope Diamond is now available online. The USGS Libraries have recently digitized a first English edition of “The … Continue reading →