-------- Original Message --------
Subject: RE: Map Inventory
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2013 16:21:08 +0000
From: Bertuca, David <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]>
Very good point! I have discovered some losses of low-level maps, and
some damage in areas. This knowledge, plus having a quantifiable record,
helped me to secure changes to our hours and other policies, that helped
reduce this. I could never get anyone's attention before I showed
evidence and the drawer checking gave me what I needed.
By "low-level" I mean, maps that are not of monetary value for thieves,
but maps that are used a lot but taken by faculty or students who take
them to use but don't return them (not checked out).
This is a problem since many maps can't be replaced easily (e.g.,
geology maps), or are maps of high-use (e.g., topo quads, etc.).
BUT a big thing has been, that I have discovered maps in the drawer that
I should put in secure storage because they may be subject to theft for
profit. My students are pretty good about flagging these too so have
been helpful in pulling out maps to be worried about.
Normally I don't comment much on discussions, and apologize if I've
written too much, but I guess this topic is worth it when I consider the
collections I've visited, including mine, through the years, and seen
varying levels of conditions, organization, and accessibility of items
in the collections. As a cataloger, I have always viewed the system I am
working on as one that would be helped by my ability to organize and
identify all materials to make them as fully accessible as possible.
I'll stop now.
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: Monday, November 04, 2013 11:10 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Map Inventory
-------- 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_AmVC5VZ
>tAIi4sBM0lbQK9sT52JjULy5LxOMu6PqJaCBw3Agt6Ai2Q.&URL=mailto%3achelsea.le
>achman%40wsu.edu>
>
**************************************************************************************
Russell Guy [log in to unmask]
Omnimap.com http://www.omnimap.com
P.O. Box 2096 Tel.: 800-742-2677 (USA only)
1004 South Mebane St. Tel.: 336-227-8300
(International)
Burlington, NC 27216-2096 USA Fax: 336-227-3748
Past President (1996) and Member, International Map Trade Association
**************************************************************************************
|
