Library Guides

Geological Literature of the U.S. Geological Survey: a Guide

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) offers a wide variety of publications to report the results of its studies and investigations. This guide provides instructions for locating USGS publications in the UWM Libraries. For further information about material published by the USGS, consult Andriot's Guide to USGS Publications (AGSL-REF) QE 77 .G84x. Many current publications from the USGS are being made available online only - including publications listed in the series noted in this guide. For ANY newer publication, if an item is not located in the UWM Libraries' PantherCat, check one of the online resources.

I. Indexes

A. USGS Publications Warehouse 1785 and to date.

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

This site, from tne USGS, allows for searching of USGS publications in either advanced or basic search mode. Many USGS publications are being published in online format only; individual issues will not be listed in the online catalog. Use this site or GeoRef for information on all current publications.

B. GeoRef 1785 and to date.

Resources A-Z

This major index for geological research includes all publications from the U.S. Geological Survey. GeoRef also indexes the major research journals in the field of geosciences.

C. New Publications of the Geological Survey Current months.

http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

The main site for USGS publications has a link to "New Publications of the Geological Survey," formerly a separate site and a separate print publication.

D. Publications of the Geological Survey (annual) 1879 - 2000.

Call Number: (AGSL-REF; AGSL-compact) Z 6034 .U49 U53

A list of books, reports, maps, and charts that were published during a given year, and articles by U.S. Geological Survey personnel in non-U.S. Geological Survey journals and books. For online searching of more current material, use GeoRef or the USGS Publications Warehouse.

II. Publications Cited in (I.) Indexes Above

Professional Papers / Bulletins / Circulars / Water-Supply Papers / Water-Resources Investigations Report /
Open-File Reports / Scientific Investigations Reports / Fact Sheets

A. Professional Papers. No.1 (1902) and to date.

Call Number: QE 75 .P9

Microfiche: (MC) QE 021

CD-ROM: (Media Library CD) QE 75 .P9

Internet: Some Papers are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Note: All paper issues No. 650 (1970) and prior in Compact Shelving East.

Professional Papers are mainly comprehensive scientific reports of wide and lasting interest and importance to professional scientists and engineers. Included are the reports on results of resources studies and of topographic, hydrologic, and geologic investigations. They also include collections of related papers addressing different aspects of a single scientific topic. Check the online catalog for issues available; the title of this publication has varied over the years.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper in the Search: box and press Search.

For holdings No. 1299 (1984) to date, click on the title listed for line # 4.

For holdings No. 216 (1949) - No. 1298 (1984), click on the title listed for line # 3.

For holdings No. 1 (1902) - No.215 (1948), click on the title listed for line # 2.

Beginning with No. 1571 (1997), each issue may be searched by author and/or title in the online catalog.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Geological Survey Professional Paper and press Search.

B. Bulletins. No. 1 (1883) - No. 2220 (2004).

Call Number: QE 75 .B9

Microfiche: (MC) QE 020

Internet: Some Bulletins are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Note: All paper issues No. 1300 (1970) and prior in Compact Shelving East.

Bulletins contain significant data and interpretations that are of lasting scientific interest but are generally more limited in scope or geographic coverage than professional papers. They include collections of short papers on specific topics, resource studies, as well as the results of geologic and topographic investigations. Check the online catalog for issues available. This title has been replaced by the Scientific Investigations Report series; the title of this publication has varied over the years.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin in the Search: box and press Search.

For holdings No. 1600 (1983) - No. 2220 (2004), click on the title listed for line # 1.

For holdings No. 961 (1949) - No. 1599 (1983), click on the title listed for line # 2.

For holdings No. 201 (1902) - No. 960 (1949), click on the title listed for line # 6.

For holdings No. 1 (1883) - No. 200 (1902), click on the title listed for line # 3.

Some issues may be searched by author and/or title in the online catalog.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Geological Survey Bulletin and press Search.

C. Circulars. No. 1 (1933) and to date.

Call Number: QE 75 .C5

Microfiche: (MC) QE 029

Internet: Some retrospective and all current Circulars are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Note: All paper issues No. 668 (1970) and prior in Compact Shelving East.

Circulars present technical or non-technical information of wide popular interest in a format designed for free distribution to the public. They disseminate administrative information or important scientific information of an ephemeral nature. Check the online catalog for issues available; the title of this publication has varied over the years.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type U.S. Geological Survey Circular in the Search for: box and press Search.

For holdings No. 915 (1984) - No. 1347, click on the title listed for line # 2.

For holdings No. 20 (1949) - No. 914 (1983), click on the title listed for line # 3.

For holdings No. 1 (1933) - No. 19 (1948), click on the title listed for line # 7.

Some issues may be searched by author and/or title in the online catalog.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Geological Survey Circular and press Search.

D. Water-Supply Papers. No. 1 (1896) - No. 2502 (2000).

Call Number: TC 801 .U2

Microfiche: (MC) TC 05

Internet: Some Water-Supply Papers are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Note: All paper issues No. 2177 and prior in Compact Shelving East.

Water-Supply Papers include reports on the geology, hydrology, quality, recoverability, and utilization of water resources. They also include several series of statistical reports on streamflow, floods, ground-water levels, and water quality. Check the online catalog for issues available; the title of this publication has varied over the years.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper in the Search for: box and press Search.

For holdings No. 2178 (1982) - No. 2502 (2000), click on the title listed for line # 2.

For holdings No. 1050 (1950) - No. 2177 (1981), click on the title listed for line # 3.

For holdings No. 215 (1908) - No. 1049 (1947), click on the title listed for line # 1.

For holdings No. 1 (1896) - No. 214 (1907), click on the title listed for line # 4 {Water-supply and irrigation papers of the United States Geological Survey}.

Each paper issue may be searched separately by author and/or title in the online catalog. Not all microfiche Water-Supply Papers are listed individually in PantherCat, see the serial record for holdings.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Water-Supply Paper and press Search.

E. Water-Resources Investigations Report (WRI). No. 74-10 (1974) - No. 03-4334 (2003).

Call Number: QE 75 .O632x

Microfiche: (MC) QE 013

CD-ROM: (Media Library CD) QE 75 .O632x

Internet: Some WRIs are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Water-Resources Investigations Reports include reports of an interpretive nature that are made available to the public, outside the formal USGS publications series. WRI's are not reproduced and distributed in quantity as are formal USGS publications, but are available for public inspection. Check the online catalog for issues available; the title of this publication has varied over the years. This title has been replaced by the Scientific Investigations Report series.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type Water-Resources Investigations Report in the Search for: box and press Search.

For holdings No. 82-4000 (1982) - No. 03-4334 (2003), click on the title listed for line # 2.

For holdings No. 74-10 (1974) - No. 82-905 (1982), click on the title listed for line # 1.

Each paper issue may be searched by author and/or title in the online catalog.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Water-Resources Investigations Report and press Search.

F. Open-File Reports. No. 75/312 (1975) and to date.

Call Number: QE 75 .O63x

Microfiche: (MC) (DOC) I 19.76:

CD-ROM: (Media Library CD) QE 75 .O63x

Internet: Some retrospective Open-File Reports are in electronic format; most current are only issued

in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Open-File Reports include unpublished manuscript reports, maps, and other material made available for public consultation and use. They are a non-permanent form of publication that may be cited in other publications as sources of information. They are not considered a part of the formal literature. Check the online catalog for issues available.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type Open-File Report in the Search: box and press Search.

Click on the title listed for line # 2.

Each paper issue may be searched separately by author and/or title in the online catalog; many microfiche Open-File Reports are also listed individually in PantherCat.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Open-File Report and press Search.

G. Scientific Investigations Reports. No. 2004/5005 (2004) and to date.

Call Number: QE 1 .S43x

Microfiche: (MC) QE 038

CD-ROM: (Media Library CD) QE 1 .S43x

Internet: Some Scientific Investigations Reports are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Scientific Investigations Reports replace the USGS Bulletins, the USGS Water-Resources Investigations Reports, and other series. Check the online catalog for issues available.

Select the Basic Search option.

Select Journal Title from the drop-down menu.

Type Scientific Investigations Report in the Search for: box and press Search.

Click on the title listed for line # 1.

Each issue may be searched separately by author and/or title in the online catalog.

For a list of individual issue titles, search for series title: (Note: Not all issues will appear in the resulting list.)

Select the Advanced Search option.

Select Series from the drop-down menu.

Type Scientific Investigations Report and press Search.

H. Fact Sheets. Current years.

Call Number: (DOC) I 19.127:

Microfiche: (MC) (DOC) I 19.127:

Internet: Some Fact Sheets are issued only in electronic format: use http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/

Fact Sheets are 1-4 page publications which summarize research and investigations or provide details about activities of the USGS. They are shelved in the Government Documents section of the Compact Shelving West area. Check the online catalog for print or microfiche issues available.

For a list of individual issue titles in the online catalog:
Select the Basic Search option.
Highlight Title from the drop-down menu.
Type Fact Sheet Geological Survey in the Search for: box and press Search.
Each issue held by UWM Libraries may be searched separately by author and/or title in the online catalog. Fact sheets held by UWM Library tend to be current or of local interest. Check online resources for other titles of interest.

02/28/2011

UWM Libraries Home * PantherCat

UWM Libraries Staff
page contact: Linda Brothen