My initial thought, if you are going to scan them, is use an exhibit tool, like Omeka. They claim “Our “five-minute setup” makes launching an online exhibition as easy as launching a blog. No code knowledge required.” It supports some standards, so beats a home-grown spreadsheet.

David Bigwood

Regional Planetary Image Facility/Library

Lunar and Planetary Institute

https://www.facebook.com/RPIFN/

From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of [log in to unmask]
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2018 11:50 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cataloging small hardcopy map collections

Hello Maps-L,

We have a small collection of hardcopy maps, in the low hundreds, to catalogue and file into long term storage and are looking for lightweight guidelines and tools to do this in a way that will benefit future staff who aren’t going to remember “Oh yeah, the 1990s land negotiations! Those maps are in the cabinet behind the paper storage in the basement”.

We’re under strong pressure to “get those old pieces of paper out of here” to make way for desks and people and don’t have the time or budget to invest in a real library system. The solution of the day is to create a spreadsheet with a half dozen home-baked field names and a hyperlink to a photo or scan in the file-system. This would be a step or two above musty cabinets on the other side of the building but is a fragile solution.

Can you suggest something that might bridge the gap between home made spreadsheets and real catalogue created by a map librarian?

Cross posted to https://gis.stackexchange.com/questions/286218/cataloging-small-hardcopy-map-collections

Please reply or cc: directly as I’m not subscribed to the list. I will compile and send a summary of all responses to Maps-L after a suitable interval.

Thanks in advance for any time and advice you share,

Matt Wilkie

Geomatics Unit

Environment | Information Management & Technology | 867-667-8133 🌄 Yukon.ca