----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Here at NYPL Map Division, as probably at other map depositories around the country, we recently received a "new" USGS map of Yosemite Valley, printed in 1995, but with no indication of revision beyond the "limited revision 1970." The only differences I've noticed so far are -- it's printed on plastic or plastic-treated paper (can anybody tell me which, by the way?) instead of paper; -- it has a new title panel with illustration and location map on the verso; -- there's a slight change in the title, in addition to the new panel title; and -- the magnetic declination differs by a degree, though both are as of 1958 (is the difference because one is mean declination and one is at the center of the sheet?). Though I guess it is not a new phenomenon, getting a new printing of an old USGS map, I wonder if this Yosemite Valley map, with the new title panel applied, is a manifestation of the new, limited map revision practice -- the issue brought to our attention by Sue Haffner in the context of the 7.5 minute series. As a side issue, under what circumstances are new printings of USGS maps sent to depository libraries? When they are somewhat revised and not simply reprinted because of having been out of stock? What about the new printing of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act map, perhaps from the same shipment as the Yosemite map? It has a new ISBN and bar code; is that why it was distributed again? Do I remember reading somewhere that USGS maps do not distinguish between reprints and limited revisions unless there are a specified amount or percentage (measured how?) of revisions? I'm sure it's been said before that these issues make problems for map catalogers, not to mention map users who want to examine changes in places and on maps. And for libraries like NYPL, which only want to keep single copies of maps, we have to either pore over these and fret about what to do, or just keep the map, forget about it, and let a map scholar or map nerd or keen and interested observer work on the problem later. But back to the major issue. Don't the recreational and non-recreational field use of Yosemite Valley merit a completely revised map every 25 years or so? With a new North American datum and always changing declination, wouldn't a new edition be important for a lost scout with a compass or post-doctoral fellow with a federal grant and GPS? And even if resources are limited, aren't the new technologies supposed to enable revisions without the need for vast outlays of additional funds? Even if printing on demand is going to be the new modus operandi, wouldn't the occasional published map (presumably big sellers like Yosemite?) be created by taking advantage of the updated database? And even if limited resources mean that certain revisions can't be made at this time, either in the geospatial database or on the published map, can't USGS more optimistically plan revisions at less frequent intervals rather than discontinuing them completely? Sorry about my long message, and sorry to betray my lack of up-to-date knowledge and naivete. But my exasperation of one afternoon seemed to coincide with Sue Haffner's call for comments still being on my mind. Nancy Kandoian NYPL Map Division [log in to unmask]