I’ve rolled up a couple hundred maps at time into a roll, then wrap it in several thicknesses of brown paper.  And lots of tape.  If the maps are of similar size then they will make a heavy compact bundle.  If the maps are of different sizes, the odd sheets sticking out beyond the others will take a beating in shipment. So, better to sort by size.

 

Wait, I want to run out and buy up stock in 3M before you do this.

 

Kathleen Weessies

Geosciences Librarian; Head, Map Library

Michigan State University

Main Library

366 W. Circle Drive, W308

East Lansing, MI  48824

517-884-0849

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From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Fry, Michael
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2015 12:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: how to ship thousands of maps

 

Random thoughts:

  1. Damn, that's a lot of maps.
  2. Not many maps can be easily rolled into one tube, which could mean lots of tubes for you to roll (and for the recipient to unroll and flatten). Tubes ain't cheap. 
  3. It might be hard to find boxes suited to the size and shape of the maps you're shipping. It might be easier to make your own shipping containers using flat pieces of corrugated cardboard, padding material, and tape*. 
  4. If you want to ship several drawers worth of maps to the same recipient, the "sandwich" solution might get burdensome, too. Custom-made cardboard boxes?

* Cut two pieces of cardboard slightly larger than your maps, then stack the maps between the cardboard, as if you're making a map sandwich. Stuff paper or other padding materials along the edges, and tape the crap out of the it. (If you're ambitious, cut more cardboard to insert as "sides".) This method will keep the maps flat and, if tightly wrapped, unable to shift much. The bigger the maps, the sturdier and thicker your "bread" needs to be. 

mf

 

On Mon, Jul 27, 2015 at 1:11 PM, Barbara Levergood <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi folks,

 

I need your expertise once more. We are withdrawing a large number of sheet maps* and need to know how to ship them most cost-effectively to their new home. Can maps be shipped flat in bulk or are tubes the better option?

 

Thanks!

 

Barbara

 

* ca. 60 full drawers; maps ca. 36” x 36” or larger

 

--
Barbara Levergood
Research and Instruction Librarian
Bowdoin College
H-L Library, Office 110B
3000 College Station
Brunswick, Maine 04011-8421
207-725-3351
Fax 207-725-3083
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--

Michael Fry
Map Editor and Senior Map Librarian
National Geographic Society
1145 17th St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
202.791.1892 (morning); 202.857.7098 (afternoon)