-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Map collections in open stacks question
Date: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 10:07:50 +0100
From: Williams, Paula <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>
Hello,
over here in the UK we recently had a similar question posted on our LIS-Maps discussion group. Here is the answer I gave then. I hope it may be some help to you, and would be interested to know what other people think.
"I think that the main problem with open access is that it assumed that the readers/students/clients know which map they are looking for and can simply go to it and look, in the same way they might with books. In my experience however the reader rarely knows which exact map they are wanting, only recognising that a map may be the best way to get the information they need. Specialist staff are then required to interpret their request, explain which scale may best meet their needs and further to explain what is possible and/or available. Often the reader then also needs help to get the information they want from the map itself. Without that help they will probably give up their search and the collection will not be as well used as it could be, becoming the exclusive domain of the (very) few individuals who have an understanding of the materials. In several University libraries the integration of the map collection into the main library and subsequent open access has lead to !
the ultimate demise of the map collection due to under-use and damage.
I should say that I've never worked with an open access map collection, except in public libraries, where the maps, particularly OS Landrangers, were as popular to steal as Haynes workshop manuals, and had to be replaced regularly. I'm not saying that open access absolutely can not be made to work, but that in the long term, contrary to first impressions, it may not lead to the most efficient use of the materials. You would need to ensure that knowledgeable staff were easily available to help. The situation with copying (particularly if there are self-service copiers near by) would have to be closely monitored, and the copyright issues clearly signed. Further, there would need to be full catalogue records available, with multiple access points, to allow readers to find the maps at all."
This doesn't even touch on the more obvious problems of handling, conservation, re-filing etc....
Good luck John with preserving your collection!
Paula Williams
Map curator/ Map cataloguer
National Library of Scotland
-----Original Message-----
From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Angie Cope, AGSL
Sent: 28 June 2006 21:46
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: MAPS-L: map collections in open stacks question
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: map collections in open stacks question
Date: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 16:19:50 -0400
From: John Olson <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Greetings All,
This is a question for all you Map Librarians out there. I'd like to
know which map collections have changed or moved from being a separate
collection or a collection within a department that had semi-restricted
access (separate room) to a full wide-open pubic access collection (one
that is now a portion of the open public stack area)
What challenges have you be confronted with? Collection management
issues? Thefts? Re-shelving problems? Conservation/preservation
concerns/issues?
Are there collections out there that have moved from an open public
area into their own separate space? Why did you do this?
Thanks in advance. I would appreciate any kind of feedback so I can
keep SU's collection from potentially being ravaged in an open public
area.
John A. Olson
Maps/GIS Librarian
358 Bird Library
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13244
E [log in to unmask]
P 315-443-4818
F 315-443-9510
-
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