uigeolibhist

History of the Former Geology Library at UIUC

The Geology Library of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign had an extensive collection of materials in geochemistry, solid-earth geophysics, mineralogy, paleontology, oceanography, geohydrology, and economic geology. The collection was designed to support the curricular and research needs of the Department of Geology. This collection began as a part of the original holdings of the main library when the University was founded, and continued to grow during the years when geology was one discipline among many in the Natural History Library. In 1959, the life sciences materials were relocated, and the Geology Library was established in its final location in the Natural History Building. With the help and encouragement of Dr. George W. White, head of the Department of Geology at that time, growth of the collection accelerated, especially during the 1960's when intensive efforts were made to assure that primary geological literature was acquired.

At its peak, the collection in the Natural History Building contained more than 100,000 bound volumes, including nearly 3,000 journals and monographic series. More than 90,000 lesser-used volumes were located in the Central Bookstacks of the Main Library. In addition, there was a collection of at least 75,000 cartographic items including geologic and topographic maps and atlases. An exceptional collection of rare and early geological literature continues to be housed in the Rare Book Room (346 Library). Included are the works of Agricola, Biringucci, Palissy, Hutton, and Agassiz, among others. Early American geological works in this collection include those by Eaton, Schoolcraft, and Feathersonhaugh.

Because more space was needed for the newly formed School of Earth, Society, and Environment, the decision was made to close the Geology Library and relocate the material. This decision was facilitated by the availability of online full-text for many journals and books, and by the construction of the High Density Shelving Facility on Oak Street.

The timing of the move was accelerated by a full year due to the discovery of structural deficiencies within part of the Natural History Building and subsequent condemnation of a large part of the building, including most of the Geology Library stacks.

The Geology Library closed to the public on August 6, 2010, shortly after completing its 50th year of operation. The last books were moved out of the Geology Library the second week of January, 2011. Approximately 75% of the print material was relocated to the High Density Shelving Facility, and the other 25% was moved to the Grainger Engineering Library. Unique topographic maps were moved to the Map & Geography Library. Geologic maps were moved to the High Density Shelving Facility at Oak Street.

History of Geology Library Faculty & Staff

Geology Librarians

Harriet Wallace:

• Started working in the Geology Library as full time Librarian 9/1/62 - 8/31/63.
• 9/1/63 - 8/31/67 her title was Librarian with rank of Instructor
• 9/1/67 – 8/31/72 her title was Geology Librarian with rank of Assistant Professor
• 9/1/72 – 8/20/78 her title was Geology Librarian, rank of Associate Professor of Library Administration
• 8/21/78 – 8/20/79 her title was Geology Librarian, with rank of Professor of Library Administration
• Harriet retired 8/20/79

Dederick C. Ward:

• Started working 8/21/80 as Geology Librarian with a rank of Associate Professor of Library Administration, and continued until 7/1/89 when he retired.

Lois M. Pausch:

• Was Geology Librarian with a rank of Associate Professor from 8/21/91 to 2/29/00, when she retired.
• Previous to working as Geology Librarian, Lois was a teaching assistant in Biology 10/59 – 6/61 and from 9/1/72 held various jobs in the Library including:
• 9/1/72 – 8/24/ 75 Cataloger & Inst. Lib. Adm. in the Catalog Dept.
• 8/24/75 – 8/20/79 Cataloger & Asst. Prof. Lib. Adm. in the Catalog Dept.
• 8/21/79 – 8/20/84 Sci. Cataloging/Asst. Prof., Orig. Cat. Coord.
• 8/21/84 – 8/20/85 Sci. Cataloger/Asst. Prof. in the Math Library
• 8/21/85 – 8/20/91 Asst. Math Librn. & Coord. PS Cat/Assoc. Prof
• 8/21/91 – 2/29/00 Geology Librarian & Assoc. Prof.

Gregory Youngen:

• Acting Geology Librarian 2/29/00 – 8/20/01

Lura Joseph:

• Geology Librarian and head of the unit, from August, 2001 until the last book was moved out the 2nd week of January, 2011. She was at a rank of Assistant Professor of Library Administration from August, 2001 to 2007, when she earned the rank of Associate Professor of Library Administration. She continued as the Geology Librarian after the library closed until 2012 when she transferred to the Content Access Management (cataloging) department, where she continued to work with the geology collection. She was Interim Head of Agricultural Communications Documentation Center 2014-2015.

Staff

Diana L. Walter:

• Started working for the Geology Library on 12/15/80 as a Library Technical Assistant and continued to 8/21/10 when she retired as Senior Library Specialist.

Sheila E. McGowan:

• Started working for the Geology Library 5/21/95 as a Library Clerk III and continued to work in the Geology Library as Library Assistant until it closed. Thereafter, she began work at the Grainger Engineering Library.

Created 3/31/2011 lej; Revised 09/28/2017