The Fletcher L. Byrom Earth and Mineral Sciences Library

The Mineral Industries Library was created in 1930 from a collection of approximately 1000 books from Dean Edward Steidle's office to which the Pennsylvania State College Library added relevant materials from their collection. In 1966 the library was moved from the Mineral Industries Building (now Steidle Building) to Deike Building and renamed the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library.

Note: Events prior to the 1990s are documented in earlier historical publications (see “The College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State” book by E. Willard Miller) and are intentionally not repeated here. 

  • 1947
    The first M.S. and B.S. degrees in Meteorology are awarded; first Ph.D. in meteorology is conferred in 1949

    The first M.S. and B.S. degrees in Meteorology are awarded; first Ph.D. in meteorology is conferred in 1949.

  • 1989
    Emily McWilliams retires

    Emily McWilliams (shown here), head of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library since 1966, announced her intention to retire at the end of the calendar year.

    Black-and-white portrait of Emily McWilliams wearing a dark formal jacket with a textured collar and a light-colored pearl necklace.
  • 1990
    Transition to new personnel

    Linda Musser (shown here) was hired as the new head librarian and a second librarian, Ellie Clement, was hired later that year (1990-1995). A renovation project began with the ultimate goal of increasing public user space and making improvements to the existing facilities. A large portion of the library in Deike Building was carpeted, walls were painted, and new ceilings were added in certain areas. The service desk was moved and a new public periodicals area was created from what was previously a restricted staff area resulting in a net growth in public user space in the library.

    Photo of Linda Musser standing in front of shelves filled with reference books, wearing a short-sleeved, button-up shirt in a muted red color.
  • 1994
    Growth in instruction, infrastructure, and Ccllections

    An instruction space was created and two GIS workstations were added. Todd Bacadstow (shown here) was hired to help with GIS services and instruction. We had our own server – vector.gis.psu.edu! Projects to complete barcoding the collection and integrating the journals and books collections were completed. We began cataloging the geologic maps collection (finally completed in 2000).

    Photo of Todd Bacastow Todd Bacastow.png You said: Create an alt tag for this image Copilot said: Copilot Here’s an appropriate ALT tag for the image: ALT text: “Person wearing a dark suit jacket, white dress shirt, and a striped tie, posed against a neutral gray background.
  • 1995
    Librarian Lisa Wishard (nee Recupero) is hired (1995-1999)
  • 1997
    Technology enhancements

    Major indexes such as Compendex are offered online instead of print, library notices begin to be emailed, and a new library webpage launched in September.

    Screenshot of the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library website from 1998, featuring a beige background, three colorful globe graphics at the top, navigation links on the left, and welcome text with contact information for Penn State’s EMS Library in the center.
  • 1999
    Librarian Kristi Jensen joins the library (1999-2004)

    In addition, ~400 shelves were added to the EMS Library's stacks to provide more space for materials!  

  • 2000
    EMS Library named in honor of Fletcher L. Byrom

    George Middlemas announced that he would donate a million dollars to the University Libraries to name the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library in honor of his mentor, Fletcher L. Byrom (shown here). Mr. Byrom was a 1940 graduate from the College of EMS, president of the Penn State Alumni Association from 1965-66 and served on the Penn State Board of Trustees from 1970 to 1973.

    Black-and-white image of Fletcher L. Byrom wearing a formal suit jacket, white dress shirt, and patterned tie, posed against a plain background.
  • 2001
    New catalog, and a film series is launched

    The homegrown LIAS (Library Information Access System) is replaced with a commercial product, SIRSI Symphony, plus a new lunch hour film series is launched!

    Banner for Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Film Series Fall Schedule, showing a vintage film camera graphic on the left and text stating: ‘Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Film Series – Fall Schedule, 12:15pm Wednesdays in 105 Deike Building.'
  • 2003
    Interlibrary Loan system upgraded, and the library gets a makeover

    ILLiad interlibrary loan system launched! Meanwhile, a sofa and 5 armchairs arrive and the library is carpeted.

    Library seating area with patterned armchairs and small wooden stools in the foreground, a study booth with red chairs in the background, and bookshelves filled with volumes along the right wall. Two colorful posters are displayed on the wall above the booth.
  • 2004
    Get It! service goes live

    The Get It! service led researchers from a citation to the full text of an article, book chapter, document, or other published material. Get It! provides links to the appropriate resources—to an online source for the full text, to the CAT, or to an online Interlibrary Loan form—to make it easier for patrons to obtain needed material.

  • 2005
    Librarian Beth Roberts hired (2005-2007)

    In addition, the cataloging and digitizing of the WPA bituminous coal mine maps was completed, the "jigsaw puzzle place" started, and the geocache “By George” was created.

    Beth Roberts seated at a desk in a library setting, wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt, with bookshelves filled with various books in the background and a computer keyboard visible in the foreground.
  • 2006
    South entrance to the library opens in June
    Lobby hallway with gray doors and exit sign above glass doors, with plants and seating area on both sides.
  • 2007
    The 2nd Pennsylvania Geological Survey digital project is completed

    The publications of the Pennsylvania Geological Survey are some of the most used items in the library. Hundreds of maps and texts from the surveys were scanned, preserved and posted online for anyone to use.

    Webpage titled ‘Pennsylvania Geology’ with navigation links on the left for survey volumes and reports, and main content on the right showing ‘Browse the Collection’ with clickable links for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Survey resources, accompanied by small images of geological maps and diagrams.
  • 2008
    Librarian Robert Tolliver is hired (2008-2013)

    In addition, a new EMS Library website is launched!

    Photo of Rob Tolliver seated at a desk in a library or office setting, wearing a dark short-sleeved shirt, with bookshelves filled with various books in the background and a computer keyboard visible in the foreground.
  • 2009
    Sad farewells

    Former student employee Jessica Conkling, USMC, is killed in a training accident, and the library's namesake, Fletcher L. Byrom, passes away.

    Photo of Jessica Conkling in a tan flight suit and green tactical vest standing on an airfield in front of a gray military attack helicopter with visible rotor blades and open cockpit.
  • 2014
    Library provides temporary space for Department of Materials Science and Engineering during Steidle renovation
  • 2015
    Celebrating 85 years of service!

    As the library celebrates 85 years of service, a major renovation of the space begins.

    Photo of the library interior with several people seated at workstations along the left wall, additional desks with computers behind glass partitions, a ladder near the windows, and a fire extinguisher mounted on a column.
  • 2016
    Librarian Elise Gowen is hired (2016-2022)
    Photo of Elise Gowen with straight shoulder-length hair wearing a light gray blazer over a teal patterned top, posed against a textured gray backdrop.
  • 2017
    New spaces

    The Department of Materials Science and Engineering moved back to Steidle Building upon the completion of its renovation, making way for the transformation of those offices into group study areas (example shown here). A One Button Studio was also added, and library staff began offering a program titled “What the Libraries Can Do For You” to EMS staff.

    Photo showing Small group of four people seated around a rectangular table in a study room with green walls, two large wall-mounted monitors displaying web pages, and a laptop open on the table.
  • 2018
    VR studio opens

    In addition, a new Library Research Award for "Best Poster" is offered at the annual EMS exhibition, while updated study carrels and booths are added.

    Promotional poster for Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Virtual Reality Lab featuring stylized icons of VR headsets, controllers, and 360-degree graphics, with text stating: ‘Earth and Mineral Sciences Library Virtual Reality Lab. Check availability online: One Button Studio, Virtual Reality, Interview Space. Reserve this room at https://psu.libcal.com/reserve/ems-obs.
  • 2020
    Library closes due to COVID-19 from March through August

    A thermal camera is added to circulation during this same year.

    Photo of a Bronze bust sculpture wearing a dark knitted winter hat and a Penn State face mask, displayed on a wooden base with a speckled stone pedestal in an indoor setting.
  • 2021
    Library opens a Cub Pantry

    Cub Pantries serve as a Lion's Pantry partners across Penn State's campuses to ensure food is accessible to students in need.

    Photo of a shelving unit stocked with pantry items including canned goods, boxed food, condiments, and toiletries, with a framed sign labeled ‘Cub Pantry’ on the top shelf, a basket of bread, and framed artwork hanging on the wall above.
  • 2023
    Library supports "Dodge the Dumpster" event

    Dodge the Dumpster (a collaboration between the Library's Cub Pantry and EMS Sustainability Council, Student Committee) donation drive collected 5,734 items weighing a total of 471 pounds for the EMS Library's Cub Pantry.

    Photo of the event organizers standing behind a display of assorted items arranged on tables, including mugs, stationery, cleaning supplies, and packaged food, with shelves of pantry goods and framed artwork visible on the wall in the background.
  • 2024
    Librarian Elliott Rose hired
    Elliott Rose pictured wearing a red-and-black plaid shirt and jeans, seated outdoors on a stone surface with one knee raised, overlooking a cityscape with numerous buildings and hills in the background under a clear blue sky.