USGS closes APU map store, moves online

The U.S. Geological Survey said May 28 it will close its map store on the Alaska Pacific University campus Oct. 31.

The agency said the move will lower rent costs and is part of a larger consolidation plan motivated by the Presidential directive to reduce government space.

USGS said there is not a plan to reduce staff and said it will continue to maintain all operations currently housed in Anchorage.

Alaska Geographic, the congressionally designated nonprofit that currently operates the USGS map store on the APU campus, will continue to sell a selection of top-selling USGS maps at its new retail store at 241 North C Street, in Anchorage’s Ship Creek district. USGS said most of its products, including historic publications, are now online and can be downloaded free at http://alaska.usgs.gov/products/USGSAKTopoDownloadandPurchase.pdf.

Many geologic and topographic maps and scientific publications can be ordered through the USGS online store or mail-ordered from the USGS Denver warehouse. The University of Alaska, Fairbanks carries all of the USGS topographic and state maps covering Alaska.

Alaska Geographic is the congressionally designated nonprofit partner to Alaska’s parks, forests and refuges. They operate more than 30 retail stores in visitor centers and other locations across the state with proceeds from sales supporting education and other programs on public lands.

More information on Alaska Geologic is available on their website at www.alaskageographic.org/.

- Petroleum News