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At the University of Florida we experimented with having wall maps in the
Map Library when it was first set up in the 1970's.  It was the first
time I had worked with wall maps in a library so the results were not pre-
determined.  After several years we also concluded that these were class-
room instruction materials and were more appropriately housed and purchased
by the individual depts. needing them for their classes. It has not negatively
affected the use of the Map & Imagery Library by these depts. I agree with
the points that both Mary and David made.  To maintain good public relations,
I do maintain a collection of Wall Map Catalogs and help faculty reps to
interpret types of maps, mountings, etc.  We did give some of the maps to
middle schools but in many cases they were too old to be useable.  A few of
the historical maps went with the Books to Africa program and were well
received.  The others sold surpraisingly well at the annual Library Book
Sale for one or two dollars each.  The local Theatre bought some for plays
and a number of dorm rooms are decorated with them!
 
For the last three years we have been housing the History Dept. Wall maps
while they await their new building.  It has resulted in some excellent
paper map gifts but has re-enforced our conclusions that the staffing and
space involved are not justified by the use.
 
One final note, we saved a set of wall maps which were purchased for the
first classroom on campus.  They were still in the original oak box built
to mount them on the wall.  These were given to our University Archives
and are considered an important item in the history of the University.  So
it is possible something in the collection might be valuable even if it is
not older than the 1850s.
 
HelenJane Armstrong
Head, Map & Imagery Library
University of Florida