Written By: Allison Boedges
Have you been to the Geology Library?
The Mizzou campus is home to more than 200 buildings, including eight libraries spread across campus. Nearly everyone knows about Ellis Library, Mizzou’s main library, but few have visited the 7 subject libraries spread across campus. Previous Peer Navigator articles have covered the Engineering Library, Journalism Library, VetMed Library, and Law Library, but today I want to talk about a lesser-known campus favorite, the Geology Library.
Those who do not frequent the Geological Sciences building, located on the Northwest corner of Francis Quadrangle, may have never heard of the Geology Library. The Geology Library is located in room 201 of the Geological Sciences building and is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. every weekday except Friday, when it closes at 5, and is also open from 2-5 on Sundays.
To find Room 201:
- Enter the building through the main entrance off the circle drive.
- Go past the department offices and up the stairs to the second floor.
- Room 201 is the first door on the right-hand side.
The Geology Library is a US Geological Survey Depository, full of specialized resources, books, and documents for students studying geology or any similar fields. The library also houses Mizzou’s extensive collection of topographic, geological, and thematic maps. These maps, which are both digital and physical, cover the entire world, providing a perfect resource for many students. The collection also contains significant materials on the history of earth sciences.
One of the more special items in the collection is a set of stone lithographs showing the stratigraphy of the Grand Canyon, the first of their kind. These have been restored and are displayed alongside the original monograph detailing the first exploration of the canyon, published in 1882 by Clarence Dutton.
Another resource available through Mizzou libraries is the large number and variety of subject librarians. These librarians are very knowledgeable on not only their subjects, but the resources available for those subjects. The Geology Librarian, Stephen Stanton, is available to help students navigate the resources at the Geology library. Steven has been with the Geology Library for 32 years and is extremely knowledgeable about the resources available to students. The library also has student assistants, the majority of whom are geology
students themselves and can understand the materials well.
The Geology library is not only available to Geology students, anyone can use the resources and the space. Since it’s less well known, this library makes a wonderful quiet study spot on campus. A map of the space is available on the library website.
If you are interested in Geology, looking for a new study spot, or needing resources for Geology research, visit the Geology library next time you find yourself in the Geological Sciences Building.