----------------------------Original message---------------------------- The map reference collection at the Illinois State Library has been disseminate d throughout the library since it was created. Since the map reference librari an was a part of the reference staff at first that was natural I suppose. Whate ver the call number was on an item that I considered "map reference" was where it was shelved as an integral part of the reference collection. When we moved i nto our new building over 3 years ago, I moved into a separate map reading room with a very small map reference collection on the third floor, but most of the map reference collection stayed in the general reference collection on the seco nd floor, in at least four different locations. Since I was alone in my outpost on 3, the idea was that the reference librarians would be doing some of the ma p reference. I suppose they do do some, but I do a lot of running to retrieve t he books I want from 2 too. And that's just the "reference" collection. The Il linois county atlases, the two map rooms filled with map cabinets, and the circ ulating atlases and books, etc. are all in various near and far corners of the building. I have a typed list of our map reference collection, which indicates where in the building a particular title is, and I will send a copy to Charlen e. Of course, this isn't an academic library, if that makes a difference. Arlyn Sherwood Map Librarian Illinois State Library 217/782-5823 phone 217/782-4446 fax