-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        Re: folded and flat maps (was: BLM map folding)]
Date:   Wed, 07 Apr 2004 08:50:47 -0400
From:   Paige Andrew <[log in to unmask]>




Although I cannot answer the question of why any particular agency
suddenly switches producing their maps in folded form to flat or vice
versa, I did want to say that -- in terms of a preservation/conservation
standpoint -- suddenly refolding maps that have been laid flat in map
drawers for any length of time is not a good idea. As a maps cataloger
for a good many years I've had my hands on literally tens of thousands
of map sheets and invariably the ones that are falling apart have either
been filed/re-filed sloppily or in too-full drawers causing crushing
and/or wrinkles and tears OR have been folded and unfolded enough times
that the paper has weakened along the fold lines causing tears at those
points. So, if they're already stored flat, leave 'em flat and add your
new folded ones to the collection in flat form, if at all possible
(sometimes space issues cause a different decision).

Sincerely,

Paige Andrew
Faculty Maps Cataloger
Pennsylvania State University Libraries

At 05:15 PM 4/6/2004 -0400, you wrote:

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: folded and flat maps (was: BLM map folding)
> Date: Tue, 06 Apr 2004 16:49:05 -0400
> From: Michael Fry <[log in to unmask]>
> Organization: UMD Libraries
>
>
> ------------------
> Hillary Campbell [[log in to unmask]] wrote:
>
>> We have noticed that the most
>> recently-received Bureau of Land Management 30x60 minute series
>> topographic maps (Surface Management Status) are arriving folded. Since
>> the previous maps in this series came flat...
>
>
> I'm also a relatively new docs/maps librarian, and I'm
> confused about why we receive maps in the same series (or,
> at the very least, topically similar) in both folded and
> flat states. In addition to the BLM topos, NOAA Nautical
> Charts (i.e., C55.418/7) and N. Atlantic/Pacific Route
> Charts (i.e., TD4.79/9 and TD4.79/10, respectively) both
> come folded and flat. Why is that?
>
> Thx.
> mf
>
> --
> Michael Fry
> Government Documents & Maps Librarian
> University of Maryland Libraries