-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        RE: Map call #s
Date:   Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:33:55 -0600
From:   Ken Rockwell <[log in to unmask]>
To:     <[log in to unmask]>


Tiffany, there's more than one way to set it up, depending on what will
work best for your collection.  But a convenient thing to do with a set
of topo maps is to give them a common call number and treat them like an
analyzed series.  This is what we at the University of Utah's Marriott
Library have done for decades.  Since we have a set covering the whole
of the United States, the basic call no. stem is G3700.  If your
collection is confined to California, or just a few states, you could
use the state number, for example: G4360 s24 .G46, where "s24" stands
for the scale of the map.  Then, for the individual sheet, you can cook
up a Cutter that puts them all in alphabetical order.  We use the old
Cutter-Sanborn 3-figure Author tables, substituting sheet title for
author.  You'd be surprised how well that has worked!
  Arranging the sheets in alphabetical order is going to prove most
convenient for the purpose of locating a sheet.  In fact, we find we
hardly need the call number for it, since the topo sheets are arranged
by state and then by title, so you might consider replacing the Cutter
with the title itself.

--Ken Rockwell
  Map Cataloger
  Marriott Library
  University of Utah

-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Maps-L Moderator
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 3:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Map call #s

-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Map call #s
Date:   Mon, 14 Apr 2008 13:49:57 -0700
From:   Nagle, Tiffany <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>



I am new to the world of map cataloging and have a pretty basic
question...

Our library has a map collection of about 5,000 maps which we they have
just now decided to catalog. They are pretty much split evenly between
topographic maps and geologic maps. I am starting with the topographic
maps.

In reading the LC Map Cataloging Manual and ALA Cartographic Materials,
I see that maps are typically classified using the Class G schedule of
LC. However, since we use Dewey for all our books, I am unfamiliar with
the complete procedure for creating LC call #s. I understand the concept
of the basic classification number and the addition of a subdividing
cutter. For example, I know that the classification for a map of the
Buttonwillow, CA area would be G4364 .B95. I also know that the USGS
quadrangle names are not authority-controlled.

So, what happens when you have a quadrangle for which there is no
corresponding cutter in the schedule? For example, I have a USGS map of
the Stevens quadrangle in Kern County, California. This area is in the
middle of the oil fields, and Stevens is the only named place shown on
the map. Is it "legitimate" to extrapolate a cutter that falls between 2
other cities shown in the schedule? In this case, it would be between
Stent (.S893) and Stinson Beach (.S896). I also came across a map
quadrangle that is called "West of Elk Hills" which again doesn't show
any identifiable natural feature or town.

I'm just trying to get a better understanding of how this works so that
I can work with the librarian in charge of this collection to decide the
best way to classify these.

Thank you

Tiffany Nagle

Bibliographic Control Librarian

Kern County Library

Bakersfield, CA 93301

(661) 868-0734

[log in to unmask]