Maps and GIS

Maps and other cartographic materials are unique and valuable sources of information. As graphical representations of some kind of spacial "reality", maps are able to depict cultural, historical, and physical landscapes. The Government Publications/Maps/Law Library houses over 1200 atlases and cartographic reference books and nearly 200,000 sheet maps. Although maps in the collection cover a wide range of topics, geologic and topographic maps constitute the core of the collection.

Topographic Maps

Topographic maps depict the Earth's physical terrain. GPML's collection covers much of the surface area of the world at a scale of about 1:250,000. The topographic map collection is based on maps of all scales deposited with the library by the Army Map Service. Modern topographic series published by foreign governments are available for Great Britain, Canada, Latin America, parts of Western Europe and the United States. The library collects all scales of the United States Geological Survey topographic maps (1:24,000, 1:62,500, 1:100,000, 1:250,000).

Chart Maps

An on-going, yet not comprehensive, set of nautical and aeronautical charts is also found in the library. Maps published by U.S. federal government agencies comprise nearly 80% of the sheet maps in the collection. The library is also a depository for maps published by the Maryland Geological Survey.

Historical and Special Purpose Maps

The library collection contains thousands of maps printed between 1800 and the present on various specialized subjects such as social, cultural, political, and military history. Some of the topics covered include the following:

• mineral and energy-resources
• bathymetry
• hydrology
• weather
• extra-terrestrial terrain and celestial bodies
• road, waterways, and trails
• national forests
• recreation
• historical urban plans
• propaganda
• distribution of nationality, language, and religion
• historical cadastry of Baltimore City and certain counties of Maryland
• historical Maryland-county atlases

Wall Maps

A collection of more than 200 over-size wall maps is available for use in JHU classroom instruction. Wall maps may be charged out to faculty members for up to one semester.

Atlases and Books

The library actively collects world atlases in several languages as well as thematic, regional, state and national atlases. A strong collection of modern national atlases are an excellent source for demographic and census data. The Library also attempts to collect all available state and provincial atlases of the United States and Canada. Secondary cartographic sources in the collection include guidebooks with detailed city maps, gazetteers, cartobibliographies, globes, books and journals on map librarianship.

Microforms

Although most of the map and atlas collection are in print formats two important sets are found in microform:

• Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps (microfilm)
  These maps on microfilm are extraordinary tools for the study of urban history. Block-by-block maps that describe in detail each buildings use, construction, floor plan etc. during the late 19th and early 20th Century. A complete set of Sanborn microfilm reels are available for the following states:
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia
• Manufactures Mutual Fire Insurance Company Industrial Site Maps, 1894 1954 (microfiche)
  These birds-eye view plans of over 2000 industrial sites complement the Sanborn microfilm collection. Included are 40 industrial factories in Maryland.

Eectronic Materials

CD-ROMs with spacial information are housed with other GPML electronic products. Some of the electronic products listed below required special software that may not be available in the GPML Library. Upon request, some electronic products are available for JHU students and faculty to check out and use on computers within their office or laboratory. Available electronic products include:

• Map Expert (CD-ROM) A seamless electronic street map of the entire United States.
• Global Explorer (CD-ROM) A seamless electronic atlas of the world.
• ArcView II A Geographic Information System (GIS) that can be used for mapping demographic information.
• Landview A mapping program used to identify census tracts and block groups.
• Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) Digital Gazetteer (CD-ROM) An electronic gazetteer of the United States including all names that appear on the U.S.G.S. 1:24,000 topographic map series.
• Tiger/Line 1992 (CD-ROM series) A digital base map of the United States at a scale of 1:100,000.
• Digital Orthophoto Quadrangle Data (CD-ROM Series) Essentially high-altitude aerial photographs in digital format. The complete set covering counties in Maryland and surrounding states will be issued over several years.
• Digital Line Graph (DLG) Data Hydrography and Transportation (CD-ROM series) 1:100,000 scale digital data portraying hydrography and transportation routes in the United States.

Finding Cartographic Materials Map & Atlas Collection Organization:

• Maps and Atlas and spacial electronic products are maintained as a separate collection in the GPML Library. Maps and Atlases are arranged by Library of Congress classification number.
• USGS topographic maps of all fifty states are arranged in alphabetical order by state.

Primary Map & Atlas Finding Tools:

• Map & Atlas Card Catalog All atlases and sheet maps are included in the map and atlas card catalog located in the GPML Library.
• Marcive GPO CAT/PAC (CD-ROM) This index to U.S. government published materials includes USGS hydrologic and geologic maps published after July 1976.
• Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps (printed index) This index includes USGS and state government geologic and published before 1976.