----------------------------Original message----------------------------
 
                                  R.I.P.
 
          UNITED STATES BUREAU OF MINES
                                  (USBM)
                                1910 - 1996
 
From 1910 through 1995, employees of the U.S. Bureau of Mines provided
information to many, many, people and organizations throughout the world.  In
September, 1995, the U.S. Congress voted to abolish the U.S. Bureau of Mines
(USBM).  Due to the long and tortuous FY96 budget process, the bill did not
become law until January 26, 1996 when the "Balanced Budget Downpayment Act"
(Pub. L. 104-99) was approved.  Final appropriations were made in Pub. L.
104-34, April 26, 1996.
 
Between September, 1995 and January, 1996, employees worked to transfer the few
surviving functions to other agencies and close down the rest of the USBM in an
orderly manner. Many of the functions previously performed by the USBM no
longer exist. Abolishing an 85 year-old statutory agency in less than 100 days
resulted in some gaps -- mainly, what happened to the specialists and all that
information!
 
This bulletin is an unofficial communiqu, intended to provide sources of
information and points of contact for the former U.S. Bureau of Mines.
 
Most USBM publications published after 1970 are available for purchase from the
National Technical Information Service (NTIS)(703- 487-4650).  An index to the
entire list of USBM pubs (11 volumes) is also available from NTIS. The Bureau
of Mines was also a part of the United State GPO (Government Printing Office)
Depository Library Program.  These libraries should have USBM publications
available for reference use. The USBM video program is defunct, although a few
educational institutions may still have a loan program.
 
Five former USBM libraries continue to function under new names, and different
agencies.  As these libraries were incorporated into their new agencies, their
mission may have changed.  Library staff will continue to provide
mission-related information, and are willing to act as a last resort for
information about USBM publications. Interlibrary loan requests may be made to
the appropriate library via OCLC.
 
CONTACTS -  FORMER U.S. BUREAU OF MINES
 
 Health and Safety Programs
 --  Transferred to NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
 --  Pittsburgh, PA and Spokane, WA
 --  Program contact: 412-892-6601
 --  Library contact:    412-892-4431 (Pittsburgh)
 --  Library contact: 509-484-1610 (Spokane)
 --  Library Internet: [log in to unmask]
 --  OCLC symbol:        QPC
 
Materials Research Program
 --  Transferred to U.S. Department of Energy
 --  Albany, OR
 --  Program contact:    541-967-5892
 --  Library contact: 541-967-5864
 --  Library Internet:  [log in to unmask]
 --  OCLC symbol:        BOM
 
Minerals Information Programs
 --  Transferred to U.S. Geological Survey
 --  Reston, VA and Denver, CO
 --  Program contact:  703-648-6140
 --  Website: http://minerals.er.usgs.gov/minerals
 --  Library contact:  703-648-7754
 --  Library Internet: [log in to unmask]
 --  OCLC symbol:        UEB*
 
*UEB is an inactivelibrary.  If UEB is listed as a holding library, please send
request to GIS with note:  "UEB" collection.
 
Minerals Analysis Program
 --  Transferred to U.S. Bureau of Land Management
 --  Juneau, AK and Anchorage, AK
 --  Program contact:    907-364-2111
 --  Library contact:  907-364-2111
 --  Library Internet:   ???
 --  OCLC symbol:       N/A
 
To purchase USBM publications
 --  National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
     1-800-553-NTIS or 703-487-4650