-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Map Inventory
Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2013 11:36:34 -0500
From: Russell Guy <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>
One reason for doing an inventory that I've not seen mentioned is
theft; is the collection missing maps that have been catalogued or
otherwise known to be part of the collection. While theft is usually
associated with rare maps, there certainly is a market for $50-$100
maps that are not kept under lock and key and as such as often easy prey.
Cheers
At 10:41 AM 11/4/2013, you wrote:
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: Re: Map Inventory
>Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 10:25:20 -0500 (EST)
>From: Paige G. Andrew <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Air Photo Maps, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>One of the things Kathleen touched on that to me (if I were managing a
>map collection) would be a very compelling reason to do an inventory is
>to "see" where the gaps are in the collection. Leading to efforts to
>fill at least some of the more critical ones, and thus improving your
>collection, or alternately to "fill" gaps through the means of finding
>digital cartographic resources if and when possible (at least that saves
>drawer space). Much depends on what kind of map collection one has and
>how it it, or is to be, used. An "active" collection, particularly at
>any research institution, is worth knowing as best as possible what you
>have and why (and preservation also plays a role in this as Kathleen
>notes). A collection that less used or might act more as an archival
>repository still should answer the question "what do I have/own?" but
>perhaps the need to inventory is also lessened, particularly if its
>fully cataloged or was accurately inventoried in the past but hasn't grown!
> that much.
>
>As a cataloger who has been a part of nearly 19 years of retrospectively
>cataloging a major research map collection can attest, inventorying has
>several benefits, Kathleen and others have touched on most, if not all
>of them. Uncovering things that you thought were cataloged but were not,
>DE-DUPING or otherwise eliminating items from the collection so that
>time and money is not wasted during the cataloging process, catching
>maps that were incorrectly classified so that once corrected the user
>has better access to them in their proper location and just generally
>fixing errors of any kind to improve accuracy and accessibility.
>
>I see more reasons TO conduct an inventory than not, though naturally
>the lack of personnel and thus competing higher-priority tasks may
>prevent it from happening.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Angie Cope, American Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Sent: Monday, November 4, 2013 7:55:17 AM
>Subject: Re: Map Inventory
>
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: RE: Map Inventory
>Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2013 22:20:16 +0000
>From: Weessies, Kathleen <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>I'd like to second David's hands-on approach. You never know what
>you'll find in those crazy drawers. As time marches on, maps change in
>importance. Years ago maps that were easy to get were treated more
>casually than we would do now. Maps that weren't particularly antique
>40 years ago may be considered so now. When you go through the drawers
>you may find wonderful maps that need to be unfolded, repaired, moved
>out of acidic folders or moved to a locked collection. Watch for
>stapled texts and other abrasives to remove and store separately.
>You'll see embarrassing gaps (we don't have a general map of nation X
>newer than the 1980s?) and unexpected strengths.
>
>I found a crazy lot of maps in our vertical file, put there decades ago
>when staffing and access to cataloging were different.
>
>Kathleen Weessies
>Geosciences Librarian
>Head, Map Library
>Coordinator, Collaborative Technology Labs
>Michigan State University Main Library
>366 W. Circle Drive W308
>East Lansing, MI 48824
>[log in to unmask]
>Office phone 517-884-0849
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope, American
>Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee
>Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 4:27 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Map Inventory
>
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: RE: Map Inventory
>Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 20:02:35 +0000
>From: Bertuca, David <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>Hi Chelsea, and all;
>
>Maps are a little different than any other format in that there is no
>simple method for determining "how much" and "what" is in your collection.
>No matter what, you will find maps to be lots of fun and this will be an
>adventure on a number of levels.
>
>I decided here at UB that the best way to inventory the collection,
>would be to "manually" inventory it. I know that sounds crazy (I am),
>and it is not a simple undertaking, but I decided for a number of
>reasons to do an entire "shelf reading" of the collection. We are now
>into our 4th year (I think) of this and have covered a lot of ground. I
>have had several student practicums, as well as my student assistants
>helping on this.
>
>The reasons I chose this method:
>
>*our estimates of how many maps in the drawers were fine up to a point,
>but never close to being accurate *reading each drawer allows us to find
>out what exactly is in the drawer. By this I mean that we are
> a. putting maps into proper order
> b. pulling improperly shelved maps and putting them where they
>should be
> c. redistributing maps to even out drawer weight
> d. counting every map as we go
> e. building a database of the collection that is used to make
>map labels, as well as to better control the collection contents
> f. allowing us to become better able to analyze the collection
>for strengths and weaknesses (the database again)
> g. getting an accurate count of our collection (I've found that
>earlier estimates were a bit low on a few things)
> h. more advantages come up as we go.
>
> From all of this, I have been able to discover loads of maps out of
>place, find maps needing repairs, find maps we don't need, find maps
>that are not cataloged (this should not have happened, previous map
>librarians did not always submit everything for cataloging), and in
>general, put the collection into better shape than it ever has been.
>
>The Map Collection is looking much better. New drawer labels and folders
>are accurately marked. We can find stuff easier; our patrons can too.
>We are about 50% through the collection, and already I have been able to
>present the maps in a better light to my directors and patrons, and am
>able to ask for updates to equipment and facilities since the materials
>are better cared for.
>
>We are also reducing our footprint, which is good for the future, and
>for the space people who are always hinting that I should be "weeding"
>stuff out. I am not "weeding" for the sake of making room; I am only
>pulling maps when I have a really good reason. Scanning maps is not a
>reason, by the way, to discard a map.
>
>I could go on forever, and am willing to share more off the list if you
>are interested. The results of our inventory have been successful and I
>have been drawing favorable praise from my directors on the improvements
>(and this is a tough audience here).
>
>I have learned a great deal from this and it helps me serve the
>collection and my users much better. Even if you only choose to do
>samplings of sections of your collection, you will find it informative
>and worthwhile for your job as map librarian. One final plug; get to
>know your map cataloger and learn a little of how maps are cataloged. It
>makes life so much better. I started out life as a cataloger, and map
>cataloger for many years before taking over the collection. It has made
>my work far better by understanding a little about it.
>
>Good luck and enjoy the maps!
>
>David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian
>225 Capen Hall University at Buffalo
>Buffalo, NY 14260-1672
>716-645-1332 / 716-645-3710 (fax)
>[log in to unmask]
>
>Liaison to the Geography Department for GIS and Physical Geography
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Angie Cope, American
>Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee
>Sent: Friday, November 01, 2013 12:00 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Map Inventory
>
>-------- Original Message --------
>Subject: Map Inventory
>Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2013 15:52:47 +0000
>From: Leachman, Chelsea M <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
>I am a new librarian at my university and am taking over the map
>collection. From what I can tell there has not been an inventory of
>maps done in quite a while nor is there a record of the last one done.
>
>I am looking for advise, tips or tricks about completing a map
>inventory. I have staff members that can assist in the task but would
>like input from experienced map librarians.
>
>
>Thanks,
>
>Chelsea Leachman
>
>Science Librarian
>
>Washington State University
>
>(509) 335-8527
>
>[log in to unmask]
><https://connect.wsu.edu/owa/redir.aspx?C=csdtaJodtkCGrpupbdY01_AmVC5VZtAIi4sBM0lbQK9sT52JjULy5LxOMu6PqJaCBw3Agt6Ai2Q.&URL=mailto%3achelsea.leachman%40wsu.edu>
>
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Russell Guy [log in to unmask]
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