Norfolk District library collection expanding

Posted August 6, 2009
By Brittany Brown
Norfolk District Public Affairs

08/04/09 - NORFOLK, Va.—Norfolk District’s library, located at the Waterfield Building, has been a staple at the district providing essential resources for the past 28 years.

"The library is pretty all-inclusive," said district librarian Lane Killam. "Our biggest resource is the engineering map files, which cover the district’s various civil works and military construction projects. These files, in varying sizes and scales, date back to the 1700s."

There are approximately 25 cabinets of these drawings, some of which are original hand-drawn maps on linen which date back several centuries. Other on-site historical documents include annual reports from the chief of engineers dated 1867 and beyond in addition to letters addressed to former district commanders expressing support or opposition to projects.

The library, which is open to the public by appointment, is staffed 7 a.m. until noon Monday through Thursday. Resources such as consumer reports, newspapers, periodicals, topographical maps and legal holdings are available. According to Killam, it is common for subject matter experts to visit the library when compiling research for documents such as environmental impact statements.

The latest arrivals to Norfolk District's library include suggested readings from Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, the Army chief of engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Titles include:

• "America Alone" by Mark Steyn
• "Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies" by James C. Collins and Jerry I. Porras
• "First Break all the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently" by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman
• "Good to Great" by Jim Collins
• "The Flip Side: Break Free of the Behaviors That Hold You Back" by Flip Flippen
• "Talent Is Never Enough: Discover the Choices That Will Take You Beyond Your Talent" by John C. Maxwell

Another useful resource for information is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Electronic Library, which provides more than 4,750 collections and online resources to Corps employees. These resources include journals and printed material from the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Fisheries Society, JSTOR Arts & Sciences Collection, Lexis Nexis, Sanborn Maps Digital Collection and others.

Norfolk District employees can access USACE online libraries by visiting the following sites:
USACE Library Program website - www.usace.army.mil/Library
USACE Library Program Online Catalog - www.corpslibrary.com