Stop 5

The building before you is the Vincent E. McKelvey Federal Building, which houses one of the USGS libraries and many water resources researchers. This building (15) was dedicated in 1996 and is named for former USGS director (1971-1978) Vincent McKelvey, who did much of his early field work in the Sierra Nevada.

At the top of the corner stairs is the library (a ramp is located to your left). This library is one of the many USGS research libraries specializing in the natural sciences. The largest regional libraries are located in Reston, Virginia; Denver, Colorado; Flagstaff, Arizona; and Menlo Park, California. Together they contain the most extensive collection of natural science materials in the world. The library is open to the public for reference use. Materials may be borrowed on interlibrary loan by requesting items through a local participating library.

Inside the library you will find a large display case devoted to the career of Vincent McKelvey. Two other display cases contain changing exhibits. Other areas of interest are the California Center, which is a collection of books, maps, and journals on California geology, water, ecology, soils, mining exploration, and history; an aerial photography collection; and a display case of common rocks and minerals of the San Francisco Bay Area. The library also has an extensive educational resource room for teachers.

As you tour the library you will notice globes and other depictions of the Earth in numerous formats. These globes have been collected by a USGS cartographer, Tau Rho Alpha, who has donated them to the library for display.

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