-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: raised relief maps Date: Mon, 7 Jan 2008 09:50:23 -0800 From: Janet Collins <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Hi, We maintain a collection of raised relief maps and have found them useful for: 1) tours: a) entry level "Map Reading and Analysis" courses (cover concepts of vertical and horizontal exaggeration) b) elementary school kids - they love tactile maps (I also pull out braille maps, stick charts, etc) 2) faculty lending: a) one of our geology faculty members sometimes uses them in teaching 3) curriculum: a) a number of years ago, we had a group of college students who were interested in learning how to make them. One of our staff ended up mentoring about 6 students in developing raised relief models. I've got some on display in the map library b) one of the engineering technology classes working in plastics developed a braille map of campus. Our raised relief maps were helpful in their planning. c) local school teachers borrow them to use in their class as part of having their students make raised relief maps. 4) display: a) we have a 4 ft by 5 ft raised relief model of the nearby Mt. Baker region on permanent loan from the U.S. Forest (they purchased a newer one). It is a magnet to patrons walking through the front door. We store them in a cabinet hanging from rods and they are not listed in the catalog. I agree with April, "They are a bit of a luxury, but a really wonderful one!" Cheers and Happy New Year, Janet Huxley Map Library Western Washington Univ.