--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 15:52:13 -0400
From: HelenJane Armstrong <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: RE: deaccessioning of national topographic map collections
<fwd>
Sender: HelenJane Armstrong <[log in to unmask]>



Alice poses an interesting question.  I had been wondering if the U.S
Topographic quads being offered for transfer were all older editions or if a
selective weeding of current editions was taking place based on geographic
area?  If current editions are being transferred to other libraries than I
would hope at least one library in the state is keeping a paper version.

Repeatedly we have found patrons using the Digital Raster Graphic CD's  will
return to the Library to view a paper copy.  This group includes the novice
to the experts in GIS.  Sometimes it is a simple thing like wanting to see a
group of quadrangles all at once.  Other times students such as landscape
architect majors are looking for project sites in an unknown region and want
to view various areas before obtaining the DRG.

The University of Florida Map & Imagery Library is the Regional GPO
Depository for maps and graphics for Florida and Puerto Rico.  As such, we
retain topographic maps for all of the states including the older versions.
While this does create a space problem, we find the use of the older
versions by patrons justifies their retention.  We  keep only the current
editions in our Map Reading Room while the others are housed in compact
shelving adjacent to the public access areas.  We also purchased the USGS
microfilm set that was sold over a decade ago.  While difficult to use, it
has been the backup to several maps that had been loved to death.

The UF Map & Imagery Library has been gathering together as many of the
Florida topographic maps as possible that are offered by Libraries.  We try
to act as a centralized clearing house for the almost 40 other depository
libraries in Florida.  This is developing into a space problem but we hope
to continue this as long as possible.

In addition to Alice's questions, I am curious as to how many libraries
allow the oldest editions to be photocopied, scanned or even circulated?
Also do you keep the current and older editions in the same files or
separate?  And finally, what records do you maintain for the public so that
they are aware that older editions do exist?

Now we know New York and Florida have at least one library with all the
editions of topographic maps for the 50 states.  It will be interesting to
see if each state has a similar situation.
Helen

HelenJane Armstrong PhD
Head, Map & Imagery Library
George A. Smathers Library
University of Florida
P.O.Box 117011
Gainesville, FL 32611-7011


 -----Original Message-----
From:   Johnnie Sutherland [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Thursday, October 17, 2002 2:51 PM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        deaccessioning of national topographic map collections <fwd>

--- Begin Forwarded Message ---
Date: Thu, 17 Oct 2002 14:20:06 -0400
From: ahudson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: deaccessioning of national topographic map collections
Sender: ahudson <[log in to unmask]>


Over and over I see map libraries getting rid of their non-regional topos
and sending them off to other libraries around the US.

What is happening here? Is this a result of topos being available on the
web and cds? Is it a space issue? Budget issue?

Are there libraries that are committed to retaining as complete collections
as possible [all 50 states, including back issues] for research use?  Seems
to me the map library community should be aware of locations of
retrospective USGS topos, outside of the National Archives. So far NYPL has
been able to retain ours, despite moving non-northeast historical sheets to
remote storage. Budget cuts or space issues some day may require more
drastic moves, but so far...

Which libraries around the country are retaining their entire USGS
collections? topos that is...Just curious!

Alice C. Hudson
Chief, Map Division
The Humanities and Social Sciences Library
The New York Public Library
5th Avenue & 42nd Street, Room 117
New York, NY 10018-2788

[log in to unmask]; 212-930-0589; fax 212-930-0027

http://nypl.org/research/chss/map/map.html


--- End Forwarded Message ---
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