If someone comes in the library and wants to check out a map for their outdoor excursion, as long as it's reasonably inexpensive for us to replace if necessary, then by all means we let them circulate.  I am personally pleased when I see wear and tear on our maps.

Jeff Essic
NCSU Libraries



On Wed, Dec 5, 2018 at 10:38 AM Christopher Thiry <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Hi Chris,

We have circulated our Trails Illustrate maps of Colorado for decades.  You are correct in that they are very popular and I too am concerned about the maps walking out the door & wear and tear.

Ours is a "working" map collection--I had a map run over by a jeep.  Since the hiking maps are not vital to the long-term mission of the school, etc, I don't worry about wear or loss.  That said, I really haven't noticed the maps degrade that much.  Some of the maps circulate at least 10x a year and seem to be holding up fine.

As far as loss--I keep all the current ones in plastic sleeves in binders behind the circ desk.  They are fully cataloged and can be checked out just like any other item.  The catalog has a note "located at the front desk".  People can browse the binders.  System has been in place for 15+ years and seems to work well.  The older editions of the maps are in our open, flat collection.  I am certain a couple are missing, but I don't fret.  

People love the hiking/biking maps and are very pleased they can check them out.

Christopher J.J. Thiry
Map & GIS Librarian
Academic Outreach Coordinator
Colorado School of Mines
Arthur Lakes Library
1400 Illinois
Golden, CO 80401
p. 303-273-3697
f. 303-273-3199
From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Salvano, Christopher M. [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2018 5:27 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Circulate Trail & Hiking Maps?

Hi community,

 

Does anyone in an academic library have experience circulating popular hiking and trail maps (ie, Tom Harrison maps) to your patron base? These seem like they would generate strong interest for those patrons who are avid hikers etc, though I would be concerned for significant wear/tear or even item loss. Anybody have experience one way or the other?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Chris

 

--

Chris Salvano

Map Curator

Oviatt Library

California State University, Northridge

818-677-3465