I preface this with the usual “ I am not a cataloger….” and do not know the rules but:
I vote that nautical charts published by NGA are not military maps.
Charts produced by NOAA generally cover domestic US waters while NGA charts generally cover foreign waters. My reading of this is simply that NGA has the technology to produce maps of non-domestic waters.
Would British Admiralty charts be considered military maps? BA charts cover the entire globe with no distinction between domestic UK waters and non-domestic waters. How about German charts, French charts, Canadian charts, Chinese charts, Russian charts?
NOAA/NGA does produce LIMDIS “combat support charts” of selected domestic and foreign military bases for training purposes. These charts have six digits as opposed to the normal five digits seen on US charts. These charts would be considered military maps.
Are all maps produced by Michelin road maps?
Are all maps produced by USGS topographic maps?
Would all maps produced by the CIA be considered intelligence maps?
Just some random thoughts from a non-cataloger….
Ed Redmond
LC, Geography and Map Division
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Weessies, Kathleen
Sent: Thursday, May 14, 2015 3:35 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Are NIMA nautical charts "military maps"?
I’m locked in debate with map cataloger Tim Kiser over which maps are ‘military maps’ (LC genre/form term). Our walking around definition is, “[maps] dealing with natural and man made physical features that may affect the planning and conduct of military operations” (Glossary of Mapping, Charting and Geodetic Terms, Third Edition, June 1973. Washington, DC: Defense Mapping Agency.)
Historical AMS/DMA maps are clearly military maps, but we find the modern international aeronautical charts and nautical charts distributed through the Federal Depository Library Program to be more confusing. NIMA and NGA are certainly pivotal in their production. Intent of the producers could be helpful here. Are these charts produced to aid private and commercial activities (by an organization that happens to be military), or are they produced and maintained to inform military planning and operations (and are hijacked by non-military users because they’re so darn useful)?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Kathleen Weessies
Geosciences Librarian; Head, Map Library
Michigan State University
Main Library
366 W. Circle Drive, W308
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-884-0849