Frequently Asked Questions

What services do you provide?

• Reference services. We answer requests for phone numbers, addresses, citation verification, latitude/longitude, etc.
• Bibliographic research. Tell us your topic, we'll check the appropriate databases for relevant citations for articles, books, or other documents. We'll obtain any titles you would like to see.
• Journal routing. We route journals or table of contents to your desk or e-mail inbox, when available electronically.
• Document delivery. We deliver library documents to your or obtain them through interlibrary loan, if possible.
• Purchase requests. We purchase relevant books, maps, or other documents for the library at your suggestion.

How can I find out if you have a certain journal title, or a specific issue of a journal?

A list of journals in the library is on the Web. Contact us regarding specific issues, or for other journal titles.

How can I have journals or their table of contents routed to me in my office?

Just contact the library with your request.

How are your materials arranged?

The library is divided into five sections: 1) state agency publications, 2) journal and society publications, 3) monographs, 4) U.S. agency publications, and 5) Canadian publications. We also have maps, photos, and field notes in our map room. Just ask a librarian and we'll help you find what you are looking for.

Can the public use the Illinois State Geological Survey Library?

Yes, during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday).

What are your circulation policies?

ISGS employees may check an item out for as long as they need it. The item must remain in their office so it is available for others to use. Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources agencies may check an item out for one month. Others may borrow items through Interlibrary Loan for one month.

May I return books from other libraries to the Survey Library?

Yes.

How can I access the University of Illinois library catalog?

Go to http://www.library.uiuc.edu/ to access the library catalog for the University of Illinois, the I-Share catalog of Illinois Academic Library and WorldCat catalog of international libraries.

How can I access GeoRef?

GeoRef is available to patrons affiliated with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Do you have aerial photos?

Yes. We have aerial photos for Illinois from a wide range of years. Coverage is incomplete.

What happens to books and journals that I donate to the library?

If they fit with our collection development policy they are added to our collection. We also use them to replace missing copies. Remaining titles are offered to other geology libraries for their collections. If you prefer a different arrangement, just let us know at the time you donate the materials

Ordering information.

Out-of print ISGS publications can be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan.