Map Collection

The Map Collection is Alden Library's principal repository for sheet maps and consists of over 120,000 items. It also contains aerial photographs, weather maps, cartographic reference tools, indexes to map series, a few general reference atlases, wall maps, and some atlases that are too large for the stacks. For assistance in using the collection, don't hesitate to ask at the 5th floor service desk. During daytime hours, the full-time staff will be able to provide in-depth assistance.

Most maps in the collection are general or topographic maps, but other maps represent subjects such as geology, climate, population, soil, recreation, history, and economics. The collection includes maps for every country of the world, with particular emphasis on Southeast Asia and Africa. The collection is a depository for the U.S. Geological Survey, the Defense Mapping Agency, and the U.S. Superintendent of Documents Library Program. Most of the maps in the collection come from these sources.

The Map Collection consists of the following sections (call number indicators in parentheses):

1. Flat maps, sheet maps under 100 cm. (marked as "Map" or "Map X-Large"). If you are unable to locate, try the same call number in the vertical files; map may be folded.
2. USGS 7.5 minute series (orthophotoquad, orthophotomap, topographic). Filed in "PlanFiles," located across from the service desk.
3. Oversize flat maps over 100 cm.(marked as "Map Oversize").
4. Folded maps in vertical files (marked as "Map Folded").
5. Aerial photographs (unmarked), please inquire.
6. Books, atlases, catalogs, and finding aids.* (marked as "Map Coll Reference").
7. Oversize books and specialized atlases.* (marked as "Map Coll Atlas").
8. Maps and books "At Desk," wall maps, and maps in storage (such as historic topographic series, please inquire at service desk).
9. Maps in electronic format (inquire at service desk; most can be borrowed, but some titles are installed for reference use).
10. An important component of the Collection is reference. The Collection assists with and creates guides regarding finding maps in the collection, in the region, finding maps and data on the web, how to buy maps, finding specialized map sites and databases, and assisting with reference tools and interpretation.

Note on Atlases: The Reference Department, 2nd floor Learning Commons, has a collection of newer general atlases. Here is a listing from a keyword search on ALICE for atlases in the Reference Collection. The Map Collection has some new atlases for reference purposes, specialized atlases, and general atlases that may be borrowed by users.

Handling Maps: Due to fragile materials and limited staffing we urge the following:

• Please handle all maps and folders carefully. Many maps in the collection are irreplaceable.
• Use care when removing maps from drawers.
• Please do not re-file maps you have used. Library staff members will do that for you.
• Maps are not to be used in the field, taken on trips, etc.
• Except for folded maps from the vertical files, maps are not to be folded. Protective tubes will be provided to people borrowing sheet maps.
• Please remove from the drawers only those maps you are going to use.
• Please do not hesitate to ask the staff for assistance in locating material; the most knowledgeable help can be offered during weekdays.

Computer Work-stations; light table.

For good old-fashioned tracing, or sorting slides if you wish, the Collection has a light table.

The public computers near the Fifth Floor desk area have some mapping resources. Users can access CD-ROM resources, download from the Internet, and access color printing. A modest level of map creation is possible.

Resources include:

• A few atlases, some viewing software, and data sets.
• National Geographic Maps on CD-ROM is a set of every fold-out map distributed with the National Geographic Magazine.
• British Library Map Catalog on CD-ROM (Includes the original 19-volume printed catalog plus post-1974 accessions.)
• ArcView 3.2 for Windows -- a desktop "GIS" mapping package, used in conjuction with some of these other resources. (Note: beyond the basics you are on your own!)
• Genealogists and history researchers might want to consult AniMap Plus (evolution of U.S. county boundries), SiteFinder a U.S. place name database, and Centennia (evolution of Europe and MidEast boundries 1000 - 1993 AD).