Reviews 321

The 1,494 entries are grouped in four broad categories: general library reference, social science and technology, and arts and humanities; and therein grouped by subjects, e.g., elections, higher education, terrorism, and railroads.

The annotations are brief descriptions of the purpose and content of each publication, without critical evaluation. In past editions the bibliographic citations were quite thorough, and now several more elements have been added: depository shipping list number, item number, and Library of Congress classification number. A convenient single index pro- vides access by personal and corporate author, subject, title, subtitle, and series title.

In the introduction, Schwarzkopf explains the criteria by which some serials are includ- ed in Government Reference Books, though most have been transferred to Government Reference Serials, a 1988 publication from the same publisher and compiler. Since the introduction to the latter presents it as a “companion and supplementary guide to Govem- ment Reference Books,” I believe we would be better served if the works were more overt- ly presented as a complementary set.

For librarians and information-seekers who have access to Federal documents, especial- ly a depository collection, this is a useful guide, with the caveat that many reference books are serials, and thus excluded.

*Jerry Hogan is Assistant Government Documents, Maps, Microforms Librarian, Central Washington University Library, Ellensburg, Washington 98926.

Government Reference Serials. Compiled by LeRoy C. Schwarzkopf. Englewood, Col- orado : Libraries Unlimited, Inc., 1988, 344 pages, $45.00 U.S.; $54.00 elsewhere. ISBN O-87287-451-6. LC87-37846.

Reviewed by Patrick Ragah&

This new companion to Government Reference Books is an annotated bibliographic guide to reference serials available to depository libraries and through the GPO sales program. Coverage of most serials previously included in Government Reference Books has been transferred to this new title. Entries are divided into the same four main sections used in Government Reference Books (General Reference, Social Sciences, Science and Technology, and Humanities); the earlier work’s topics and subtopics are also used.

Bibliographic entries include Library of Congress card numbers; LC, Dewey and SuDocs classification numbers, ISSN’s, Monthly Catalog entry numbers, OCLC numbers, GPO stock numbers, agency-assigned numbers, depository item numbers; and pagination of the issue examined. (Not all are provided for each title.) Publication history is also included for many titles. Date of first publication, mergers and continuations are described, as are title and SuDocs number changes, information on special issues, subseries, etc. This is particularly useful in locating subseries such as those within the various Current Populu- tion Reports (Farm Population of the United Stutes, Household and Fbmily Characteristics, etc.). For each subseries title, Schwarzkopf lists the pertinent issue numbers within the larger series. His tracking of the recent development of separate SuDocs class stems for subseries is also helpful. Although publication history that was not verifiable was omitted from this edition, the compiler intends to continue researching incomplete serial histories

322 GOVERNMENT INFORMATION QUARTERLY Vol. ~/NO. 3fi989

for future editions. Detailed descriptive annotations are provided, as are title, SuDocs class number, author, and subject indexes.

The main drawback of G~er?urreniR&rence Serials may be its existence as a title separate from Government Reference Books, since either title alone presents an incomplete view of U.S. government reference publications. While the added cost of the additional title may not be prohibitive, one might wish the publisher had maintained the parent title as originally conceived rather than having produced this new supplement. But, with its wealth of features, beak Reference Se&& has obvious utility for rn~~-s~ and large libraries for reference and collection development.

*Patrick Ragains is Assistant Pmfessor and Acting Head of Government Documents, Renne Library, Montana State University, Etozemau, Montana 49715.

Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps, 1988 Edition. JZdited by Laurie An- driot. McLean, Virginia: Documents Index, Inc., 1988, 829 pages, $120.00.

Reviewed by Jim Walsh*

The Guide, first published in 1975 under the tide Guide to E.LT. Government Maps: Geologic and Hydrologic Maps, is the only one-volume cumulation of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) geologic map series. This reason alone makes it a useful cartographic resource.

The Guide cumulates Publications of the US. Geological Survey, 1879-1961, 1962-1970, 1971-1981 and the annual cumulations of the same title for 1982 through 1987. It includes coverage fbr thirteen active and two inactive map series. The “chapters” are arranged by map series and numerically by map number within each series. One of the active series is listed as “Monographs,” and it is important to note that this is a term used by the publisher to categorize maps which are not part of a lettered series. It does not refer to the USGS Monograph Series published form 1890 to 1929 (SuDocs: I 19.9: no.).

Coverage is through 1987, except for the Miscellaneous Geologic Investigation Maps (I) and Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps (MF), which are only covered through part of 1986. Access is provided by three good indexes: an area-subject index, a subject-area index, and a coordinate index by longitude and latitude.

This is a good source, but it could be better. The lack of a preface and/or introduction on the coverage, scope, and arrangement is an obvious omission. The only introductory material is the one page on “Ordering Geolo8ic and Hydrologic Maps from the Geological Survey” and it is inaccurate. USGS maps are no longer distibuted out of Arlington, Viiinia-a change that began in 1986. A useful addition to the inactive series would be the 227 folios of the Geologic Atlas of the United States (1894-1946).

Despite these inconsistencies and shortcomings, Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps is recommended for any library doing map reference or map verification of USGS geologic and hydrologic maps. It is essential for map collections and geology and earth science libraries.

*Jim Walsh is Head of Govemment Documents and Microforms, CYNeill Library, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02167.