Doing a side-step on this measurement metric. If one takes the volume of a banker’s box, (10x12x15) then the capacity is 1800 cubic inches. Relate that to the volume of one standard sized map drawer (2x37x49) yields 3626 cubic inches. So basically 2 banker’s boxes = one map drawer, volume wise. One can do the linear math from there. John A. Olson Librarian for Government and Geo-Information 358 E.S. Bird Library t 315.443.4818 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Sewald, Ronda Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2022 9:31 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: map collection measurement Having worked in the archives and special collections worlds for many years before switching to map cataloging, I suspect they’re asking for linear feet because that was given to them as the standard unit of measurement for extent within those communities and they’re shoehorning in the map collection. Since most of the collections I worked with at the time consisted predominantly of audiovisual materials, I never found this to be the most useful way of indicating the extent to users either, but I suppose it makes sense if you’re mainly dealing with consistently sized bankers boxes and document cases and are measuring down the length of the shelves. If it were me, I would pretend the map drawers are oversized archival boxes stacked flat on a shelf. I would first figure out how many drawers it takes to make up 10 inches (the height of the average bankers box) and divide the total number of drawers by that number. I would then multiply that by the width of the drawers. So if 50 drawers are 2 inches high and 54 inches wide, this would be equivalent to 10 ten-inch stacks of 5 boxes each or [(50/5) * 54] / 12 = 45 linear feet. If you wanted to factor in that the drawers are considerably deeper from front to back than a bankers box (15 inches), you could do that too, but I’m not sure that archivists worry about this when calculating linear footage for oversized boxes. Not all archival boxes are completely full, and this doesn’t impact the total of linear feet, so I also wouldn’t worry about whether a drawer is full or not, just whether it had anything in it. Best, Ronda ---------------------------------------------- Ronda L. Sewald Cartographic Resources Cataloger Indiana University Libraries Herman B. Wells Library E350-87 1320 E. 10th Street Bloomington, IN 47405 812-855-2059 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Jeff Essic Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 5:22 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: map collection measurement Reminds me of an old survey question that used to be asked for ALA rankings -- the total number of digital data files! There were so many problems with trying to answer that, it was just nonsense. Jeff Essic GIS and Data Librarian North Carolina State University D.H. Hill, Jr. Library; Data & Visualization Services Box 7111, Raleigh, NC 27695-7111 (919) 515-5698 http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/gis On Tue, Oct 11, 2022 at 4:24 PM Weessies, Kathleen <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Yes, if a preposterous measurement is requested, then a preposterous number should be provided. I propose that the maps be expressed as a two-dimensional area in hectares. (# of maps) x (average size of a paper map) = size of collection 250,000 maps x (30” x 36”) x 6.4516e-8= 17.42 hectares or 43.04 acres However that doesn’t measure the digital collection. Kathleen Weessies Social Sciences Coordinator; Head, Map Library Michigan State University [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of PJ Mode Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 2:03 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: map collection measurement The Library of Congress has 5 million maps. Assuming the average map is 2 feet wide, that's 10 feet of maps, or 1894 miles. Of course, that excludes globes, terrain models, aerial photographs, etc. Maybe round up to 2000 miles? PJ Mode ______________________ On Tue, Oct 11, 2022 at 1:45 PM Thomas, Craig K. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Hi Michael, Did they tell you why they want the information regarding the extent of the sheet map collection expressed in terms of linear feet? I’m assuming you store your maps flat. Could you fill a standard size archival box with uncataloged maps on hand that are still folded and, based on the number that fit into the box and the total number of maps in your collection, extrapolate the number of linear feet? Best, Craig Thomas Senior Operations Cataloger Metadata Creation Harvard Library Information and Technical Services Email: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 617-384-7158 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02139 Hours : Mon-Fri, 11-7, on-site Craig Thomas From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of David Medeiros Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 12:51 PM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: map collection measurement It is useful to know how many items are in a collection of maps. It is useful to know how much territory the collection represents on the earth. It is useful to know the range of topics covered by the collection. It is useful to know date ranges and scale ranges of the collection. It is not useful to know the liner feet of the collection. Or its height. Or its weight. Or its favorite color! ; ) David Medeiros Geospatial Reference & Instruction Specialist Stanford Geospatial Center 650.561.5294 @mapbliss SGC website: gis.stanford.edu<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/gis.stanford.edu__;!!HXCxUKc!1YGCVT0xbXT1glOkYfLNMCcelbnO6Du00AIfxoz-9LFoWzdm2dgvgpn3jFqqe_v3JUBPDqd9WQ$> GIS cartography: bit.ly/giscart<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/bit.ly/giscart__;!!HXCxUKc!1YGCVT0xbXT1glOkYfLNMCcelbnO6Du00AIfxoz-9LFoWzdm2dgvgpn3jFqqe_v3JUBX9FJyXw$> GIS email list: bit.ly/GISlist<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/bit.ly/GISlist__;!!HXCxUKc!1YGCVT0xbXT1glOkYfLNMCcelbnO6Du00AIfxoz-9LFoWzdm2dgvgpn3jFqqe_v3JUCC922q4Q$> ________________________________ From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> on behalf of Fry, Michael <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 8:53 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> Subject: Re: map collection measurement Thanks, Rene. To clarify, I am explicitly not being asked for storage space requirements (which I have provided), but rather the "extent" of the collection. In linear feet. To be fair, I recognize that values like "15,000 sheets," while numerically precise*, are somewhat abstract in their own way. Just as "6000 linear feet of books" is precise, but also lacking in that it doesn't say how many books that is, or how big they are, or how much floor space their shelves occupy. All these measurements are contextual. But linear feet for maps seems especially devoid of meaning as a useful unit of measurement. Even the method Sierra mentioned (measured the depth of maps in a drawer, count maps in said draw, multiply by number of drawers),which would produce a valid (if highly estimated) number, seems misleading. Our map and atlas collection occupies about 900 sq. feet, and contains about 15,000 sheets. Stacked upon one another, the contents of my 135 drawers would presumably be a few feet high. Let's say three or four. So maybe the same approx. volume as my dresser. This is useful? * This, too, is an estimate since some of the collection is not cataloged at the item level On Tue, Oct 11, 2022 at 11:19 AM Sayles Carlin, Rene <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote: Michael, I would not/could not describe the Geography and Map division collection in that manner. I say 5.6 million maps and x number of drawers if asked for specifics. The LOC does describe many of their collections in linear feet. In my 31 years of service entirely in this division we have not. I would answer…I’m sorry, that is not how we “calculate” our collection. We have never done so. I can give you a sheet count, and whatever else you can provide. You can’t give what you don’t have. My Coworker thinks you are being asked for the “storage space” and not the actual maps themselves. Rene Sayles, Collections Manager Geography and Map Division Library of Congress [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 202-707-8551 From: Maps-L: Map Librarians, etc. <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> On Behalf Of Fry, Michael Sent: Tuesday, October 11, 2022 10:29 AM To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> Subject: map collection measurement If your superiors asked you to describe the size/extent of your sheet map collection, what would you say? In what unit(s) of measurement would you provide an answer? I'm being pressured to answer the question in terms of linear feet--again, for sheet maps--and can't get my head around that. The only way I can get to "linear feet of maps" is to literally stack them on top of each other and measure the height of the stack. Which, IMO, would be a ridiculous (and meaningless) way to measure the size/extent of the collection. Much less meaningful than # of sheets, or number of drawers, or even square feet (of area occupied by map cases). I'm off to search the literature on this, but wondering what your thoughts are. ? Thank you. mf -- Michael Fry Collections Manager | Map Library Manager National Geographic Society Library, Archives & Media Management 202.807.3139 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9GugBdRrkmh3tCR1MLlMyCkf7D7vBlC4Bq3-ZzCeT1d9FnmADLQydMgxxFz_6DSwx7gqzZxIh3WMjqBkcW8VMX9Y09FnqoZ9UdSheTXUIpLF5CPGk2biYyxrxRMJlLtZGuTLLsM4]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nationalgeographic.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=ZWK3IlwVEW_fexkUtst55PrRtdfPxG7MpuYg4nHRLSg&m=x8ZABpNoc74JpBztVTX6NSPS2l5UnGoU0LipoXsN9LOa5waZNcF-Nm8M8Xta_L65&s=6WRSc3QiNyz4BRk3uPWPxbsY8Vzyq_FmY8X0h-KSA2E&e=> 1145 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 [https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eUMCwcTzfSOm5kGoUiG8MvwcpGfyR9NuYdSkt62WHK-3Pq_A_qfuBxOi1BIAD2aPMTwXUio_NI2OTTpVvyglE21_0EFcmF9JtpgYDZkC8DXnnIVRw_6DjU6pduqyAFII0aAbx2hT]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nationalgeographic.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=ZWK3IlwVEW_fexkUtst55PrRtdfPxG7MpuYg4nHRLSg&m=x8ZABpNoc74JpBztVTX6NSPS2l5UnGoU0LipoXsN9LOa5waZNcF-Nm8M8Xta_L65&s=0E6ltKK3lbjYTeNQE1weeVE5haLh1wua78saXRuB8kY&e=> -- Michael Fry Collections Manager | Map Library Manager National Geographic Society Library, Archives & Media Management 202.807.3139 [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> [https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9GugBdRrkmh3tCR1MLlMyCkf7D7vBlC4Bq3-ZzCeT1d9FnmADLQydMgxxFz_6DSwx7gqzZxIh3WMjqBkcW8VMX9Y09FnqoZ9UdSheTXUIpLF5CPGk2biYyxrxRMJlLtZGuTLLsM4]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.nationalgeographic.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=ZWK3IlwVEW_fexkUtst55PrRtdfPxG7MpuYg4nHRLSg&m=x8ZABpNoc74JpBztVTX6NSPS2l5UnGoU0LipoXsN9LOa5waZNcF-Nm8M8Xta_L65&s=6WRSc3QiNyz4BRk3uPWPxbsY8Vzyq_FmY8X0h-KSA2E&e=> 1145 17th St., NW, Washington, DC 20036 [https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eUMCwcTzfSOm5kGoUiG8MvwcpGfyR9NuYdSkt62WHK-3Pq_A_qfuBxOi1BIAD2aPMTwXUio_NI2OTTpVvyglE21_0EFcmF9JtpgYDZkC8DXnnIVRw_6DjU6pduqyAFII0aAbx2hT]<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.nationalgeographic.org&d=DwMF-g&c=WO-RGvefibhHBZq3fL85hQ&r=ZWK3IlwVEW_fexkUtst55PrRtdfPxG7MpuYg4nHRLSg&m=x8ZABpNoc74JpBztVTX6NSPS2l5UnGoU0LipoXsN9LOa5waZNcF-Nm8M8Xta_L65&s=0E6ltKK3lbjYTeNQE1weeVE5haLh1wua78saXRuB8kY&e=>