----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I beg to differ with F. Hoffmann on the need for additional map list-serves. I am hopeful that several thematic servers might evolve over the months ahead, which themselves might evolve into online journals. For example, I have meditated on creating a public libraries-maps list serve to deal with common issues that public libraries face, that university and rare books map curators could care less about, and would rather not have to weed out of their files daily. Of course, I only meditated briefly, let the feeling pass, and went on with my life...I fully realize how much time Johnnie, for example, as moderator of maps-l, gives to this profession every day, just "doing" maps-l.Another maps-l, thematic, that is,might be one on conservation. Who knows? And perhaps this won't work. But, I am excited that today we have heard about historians finding out about maps--and that is a group of people who for years have been difficult to reach, vis a vis the research and intellectual value of the cartographic record...oops, that's another soapbox!So, if you are afraid you are going to miss something, sign up. If you are not interested in history, or public libraries, or conservation , don't. Do I hear Pandora's box opening...? Alice Hudson, NYPL [log in to unmask]