THE EVOLUTION OF A STATE GEOLOGICAL SURVEY LIBRARY--THE MORE THINGS CHANGE, THE MORE THEY STAY THE SAME

The technological changes and advancements of the past twenty years have brought significant changes to the Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources library--not in what we do, but in how we do it. While many of our methods have changed, our basic goals and functions remain the same. We still provide reference services, add new materials to the collection, index those materials, and publish indexes. The computer and Internet revolutions have changed our procedures. We're using the web more for reference and acquisitions. The paper card catalog has been replaced by the on-line bibliography and we're publishing more on our website. But some things don't change. The reference interview is still important--we can't answer the question until we know what the whole question is. In acquisitions, we still must decide what to select and what not to. For cataloging, we still have to puzzle out the descriptions and strive for accurate and consistent index terms. Computer tools can make these tasks easier but they can't make our decisions for us. Our clientele is very diverse and we must get them the materials they need in the formats that work for them. Some only want the latest digital format, while others can only use paper copies. Despite the advantages of digital, we're surprised by the continuing demand for paper products. Some of the new technologies have uncertain futures. While electronic publishing has clear benefits for rapid and widespread dissemination, it still has great uncertainties for long-term access. Many geoscience materials maintain their value over time but many websites are fleeting; the posted materials often disappear within weeks or months. Because I don't trust those materials to stay on the web we print the pertinent materials out and add them to the collection. The new technologies have changed, and will continue to change, the way our library works. They have not, however, changed our basic mission--to connect people with the information they need about Washington geology.