The Science and Engineering Library at Vanderbilt has a map room with a broad collection of printed maps collected over time either on FDLP deposit or through normal acquisition. Historically the libraries have collected at the 85% level. We have all of the topographic scales, folded map series and thematic maps. We are not a regional depository. That designation belongs to the University of Memphis. Over the summer of 2017 the library underwent a significant renovation and now, given that the printed maps are rarely used, the space that houses the map collection is under scrutiny. As a note, a very small percentage of the maps are cataloged, perhaps 5%. There is talk of moving the map collection to our off-campus storage facility although they may not have the space. 

My question to you map professionals is: how would you approach this situation? Our government documents department is checking with the University of Memphis, but if we wanted to offer (or discard?) many of our depository maps can we do that? The bulk of the space is taken up by the cases that house the 7.5 minute topos. Our admin folks are interested in finding a solution sooner rather than later. If we can carve our collection down by 60-75% we may have room to store them but does that make any sense given the above?

Please reply with any perspectives or knowledge you can provide, and thank you very much.

Richard Stringer-Hye
Science and Engineering Library
Vanderbilt University