Policy Regarding Paper Downloads

The society has decided to make Fall Field Conference guidebook papers available for free download. This is in keeping with our mission of promoting interest, research, and cooperation regarding geology in New Mexico. However, guidebook sales represent a significant proportion of the societies' operating budget. Therefore, only research papers will be made available for download. Roadlogs, maps, stratigraphic charts, and other selected content will remain available only in the printed guidebooks. This will encourage researchers to purchase the printed guidebooks, which are essential references for geologic research in New Mexico and surrounding areas.

Initially, the executive committee has authorized free downloads of papers from guidebooks 1-25. These will be made available as they are processed. After a year, an analysis will be made regarding how availability of these downloads affects guidebook sales. Our server logs will also be analyzed to see how much interest there is in these papers. The executive committee will then decide how to proceed with later guidebook volumes.