-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [Fwd: RE: [Fwd: maps displaying projections]]
Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2003 08:51:47 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ken Grabach <[log in to unmask]>
To: Maps and Air Photo Systems Forum <[log in to unmask]>

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        I would like to give a bit of clarification to my query regarding
the above topic.  I may have caused some confusion by referring in the
preface to the query to some information regarding the cataloging of the
map. Some respondents have mentioned the mathematical fields, indicating
that the projection information appears in MARC records in the fixed
field
Proj, and in subfield b of field 255.  I am aware of this, have been
using
these fields all the time I have been cataloging maps, 1980-1981, and
1997
to the present.  The information in these fields actually begs my
question.

        These fields are not searchable.  Someone looking for an example
of a map using a particular projection, a recurring assignment for a
class
here at this university, cannot make any use of these fields to help
them
retrieve a map.  This assignment has been a challenge, as it has always
been necessary to come up with a map that MIGHT have been prepared with
a
particular projection (let us say, Oblique Transverse Mercator), only to
find that they actually were prepared with some other projection,
similar
but not identical (say some other Transverse Mercator, but not Oblique)
to
the one needed.

        In that light, I discovered the subdivision .B72 for map call
numbers in LC classification.  Has anyone found this a useful method to
classify some maps?  Put another way, have any of you found it
worthwhile
to set aside a small selection of maps because of their particular
projections, such as Peter's, Goode's Homosoline, Cordiform, or other
distinctive projections, etc., if there are users who might from time to
time need to look for a map showing a particular projection?  Please
note
I have no intention to make this a large file.  I intend to continue the
subject cataloguing of my collection by the usual methods.  I want
merely
to make a small file, with subject headings for their projections, so
that
I can help students to find a projection when they need one.

Ken
___________________________
Ken Grabach                           <[log in to unmask]>
Maps Librarian                         Phone: 513-529-1726
Miami University Libraries
Oxford, Ohio  45056  USA