STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY REPORTS IN THE GEOREF DATABASE: COMPARISONS 1985 AND 1993-2004

A major function of state geological surveys is the production of geoscience maps and reports. Because these reports are primary sources, the GeoRef indexers try very hard to include all of them in the GeoRef database.

Decades ago, state geological survey reports were only available in hard copy. Copies were routinely distributed to libraries (on deposit) and to research organizations (on scientific exchange). However, as budgets shrank and printing costs rose, most surveys have issued fewer items as formal reports (Bulletins, etc.) and issued more of their reports as Open File reports. Because of costs, the surveys have also sharply reduced their depository and exchange programs. Because they were often self-defined as less important, the Open Files were often not included in the depository or scientific exchange program. Additionally, in recent years, an increasing number of state survey maps and reports have been available digitally, and sometimes as digital-only.

What, if any, impact have these progressive changes in availability had on the inclusion rate of state geological survey reports in GeoRef? A review was undertaken of the recent (1993 through 2004) state survey reports included in the GeoRef database to assess that. Comparisons were made of the inclusion of formal reports, open file reports, and digital reports. These statistics were compared to a prior study of the inclusion rate of a small set of 1985 state survey reports in the GeoRef database.