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A Guide to the Cofrin Library Map Collection

The Cofrin Library's map collection is actually composed of several separate mini-collections. There is no one single index or catalog that lists all of our maps. Most of the maps are housed in the Government Publications area on the fifth floor, since the majority are produced by a government agency. The bulk of the collection is stored flat in large metal cases at the back of the 5th floor. Some subject series, such as the aeronautical charts or the Hydrologic Investigations series, are stored folded in filing cabinets. Older or more fragile maps are housed in the Special Collections Department on 7th Floor. Maps are for library use only and normally do not circulate.

THE MAIN MAP COLLECTION

Most general maps, sets of USGS topographic maps, and single sheet maps, are found in the main map collection. For example, if you are looking for a current general world map, a street map of Madison, a road map, a political map of China, or a map depicting Indian tribes, you would want to start with the main map collection. The maps in the main collection are classified (arranged) according to the Library of Congress system, just like the books in our circulating collection. There are two sources you need to consult for finding materials in the main map collection: the map card catalog and the Cofrin Library Catalog.

SEARCHING

The map card catalog is found on the fifth floor next to the maps. This is a combined author, title, and subject catalog that includes maps we have acquired up through the beginning of 1987, including those in the Special Collections Department. The card catalog has not been updated since 1987. Maps acquired since then, regardless of publication date, are found only in the Cofrin Library Catalog. Many, but not all, older maps can be searched in the computer catalog as well as the card catalog. Although many maps can be searched in both places, each source contains some maps not found in the other. 

There are three ways to search maps on the Cofrin Library Catalog. 

1. Keyword-boolean search: You can combine major words in the title or topic you need with map? to search for records that have the word map or maps in them. EXAMPLE: wisconsin AND map?

However, doing your search this way will also retrieve books that have a few plates of maps in them.

2. Limit by Item type: Use a keyword-boolean search, but before you enter your search set item type to maps. Click on the limits button at the bottom of the search screen. In the item type box highlight maps. Click set limits. Enter your search term(s). EXAMPLE: wisconsin AND topographic

3. Limit by location: Use a keyword-boolean search, but before you enter your search set location to map collection. Click on the limits button at the bottom of the search screen. In the location box highlight map collection. Click set limits. Enter your search term(s).  EXAMPLE: wisconsin AND madison  

* Limits will remain in effect until they are cleared!

One thing to keep in mind when searching either the map card catalog or the computer catalog, is that a map series with many individual sheets in it will only have a very basic entry for the series. Very often it will not tell you specifically which sheets in the series we own, or help you determine which sheet you need. In most cases there will be a separate index and/or inventory that you will need to consult. A copy of the index (sometimes with our holdings marked) can usually be found filed with the set of maps or on top of the map cases where the set is filed. Another copy of the index, plus any inventory of our holdings, will be kept in the cabinet by the map card catalog on third floor. Particularly for sets of topographic maps you will need to consult these indexes. The library's holdings are usually indicated on the MASTER COPY of the index, using a check mark or colored-in corner in each grid to indicate which sheets are owned.

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY (USGS) MAPS

The USGS is the largest map publisher in the government. In addition to numerous subject maps, the USGS produces sets of topographic maps.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

A topographic map series is a group of sheets that depict physical and cultural detail. Our sets of topographic maps are shelved by Library of Congress call number, then alphabetically by the name of the sheet. To determine the specific sheet you need in a series, you will need to use the individual index for that set. Usually one copy of the index will be in the map cases with the set of maps; for convenience, a second copy is filed in the cabinet by the map card catalog on fifth floor.

Some of the major series Cofrin Library has are:

LC call number	Area Scale
G 3700 G3 S250	Canada 1:250,000
G 3700 S250 U5	United States 1:250,000
G 4120 S62 U5	Wisconsin 15 min. 1:62,500
G 4120 S24 U5	Wisconsin 7.5min. 1:24,000
G 4110 S24 U5	Michigan 7.5min. 1:24,000

The 7.5 minute series are the most detailed that Cofrin Library owns. We do not actively collect these for all areas. For some of the series there will also be a computerized inventory of the sheets we own, filed with the indexes in the cabinet by the map card catalog.

Other catalogs to help you choose topographic maps are in the REF/GVP/US collection (third floor) and include:
REF/GVP/US I 19.41/6-2: Catalog of Topographic and Other Published Maps
REF/GVP/US I 19.41/6-3: Index to Topographic and Other Map Coverage

OTHER USGS MAPS

In addition to topographic maps, the USGS also issues many different subject series of maps, individual maps on various topics, and numerous printed reports that contain extensive maps. The Cofrin Library has a large collection of these materials; very few of them are cataloged and included in the Cofrin Library Catalog.

The best source for identifying appropriate USGS materials is: REF/GVP/US I 19.14: Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey or REF/GVP/US I 19:14/4: New Publications of the U.S. Geological Survey. This includes reports issued from 1879 right up to date. Another good indexes are: REF/GVP/US I19. 14/7X:1997 Guide to USGS Publications (cumulative to 1997) and REF/GVP/US I 19.14/7X:1992 Guide to USGS Geologic and Hydrologic Maps. This also includes a coordinate index (latitude and longitude) to help you determine whether a particular subject map covers the specific geographic area that you are interested in.

The different sets of USGS subject maps such as the Hydrologic Investigations Atlases (HA) series, or the Geologic Quadrangle (GQ) series are stored folded and in brown envelopes, and are kept in the filing cabinets surrounding the map cases on 5th floor. They are arranged alphabetically by their series designation (EX: HA) and map number.

USGS printed reports, which generally contain many maps, are in the federal documents collection on the 5th floor. Consult a reference librarian if you need help locating them. The major series and their corresponding SuDocs call numbers are:

SuDocs Call Numbers	Major Series
GVP/US/ I 19.1:	Annual Reports
GVP/US/ I 19.3:	Bulletins
GVP/US/ I 19.4/2:	Circulars
GVP/US/ I 19.13:	Water Supply Papers
GVP/US/ I 19.16:	Professional Papers
GVP/US/ I 19.42/4:	Water Resource Investigations
GVP/US/ I 19.76:	Open File Reports

Some reports may be in microfiche. Reports not owned by Cofrin Library may be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan. For more information on using USGS and other government produced maps, consult: Maps for America: Cartographic Products of the U.S. Geological Survey and Others (3 rd ed.) ATLAS GA 405 T46 1987

DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY

The Defense Mapping Agency, or DMA (formerly the Army Map Service) distributes surplus maps that were used during World war II. Thus, most of the maps in this collection date from that time period or earlier, and most are of areas that were of strategic importance during World War II.

SEARCHING

The sets of maps in this collection are not cataloged or classified. They are housed in the map cases immediately following the main map collection. They are arranged by series designation, and then by sheet number within the series. To determine which series and sheets you need, you will need to use the indexes to the collection, which are kept in the filing cabinet near the map card catalog on third floor. Consult the DMA INDEX OF REGIONAL AREAS and instructions which are kept in the front left-hand corner of the top drawer. 

Also useful in choosing DMA maps is the DMA's catalog: Public Sale Catalog: Topographic Maps and Publications, which is kept on 3rd floor under: REF/GVP/US D 5.351/3:

FINDING DMA MAPS

DMA maps are arranged in series, based on geography. Two different systems are used in assigning a series code to a set of maps. You can determine what series you need by first consulting the DMA Index of Regional Areas, which is normally kept in the front left-hand corner of the top drawer where the indexes are filed.

The first system used by the DMA is strictly numerical and is a 4-digit number. EXAMPLE: 1105

This is used for series that cover the world, a continent, or more than one of the 9 DMA regions. The boundaries of the regions are indicated in blue on the Index of Regional Areas.

The regions are:

1= World
2= Africa
3= Antarctica
4= Arctic regions
5= Asia & Eastern Europe
6= Europe
7= Latin America
8= North America
9= Pacific

The four-digit numbers are composed of three parts:

1. The first digit indicates which of the 9 regions above is covered in the series.

2. The second part is a number indicating the scale range of the map, as indicated in the following list:

1= 1:5,000,000 and smaller
2= larger than 1:5,000,000 to 1:2,000,000
3= larger than 1:2,000,000 to 1:510,000
4= larger than 1:510,000 to 1:255,000
5= larger than 1:255,000 to 1:150,000
6= larger than 1:150,000 to 1:70,000
7= larger than 1:70,000 to 1:35,000
8= larger than 1:35,000
9= city plans regardless of scale
0= photo maps, regardless of scale

3. The third part is a 2-digit sequential number, starting with 01 to differentiate between series in which the first two numbers are the same.

The second system uses a capital letter, indicating an area smaller than a continent, plus numbers. The lettered areas are indicated in red on the Index of Regional Areas.

1. The first number indicates the scale of the series, as indicated in the chart above. 

2. The second number indicates the subregion. Subregions are indicated in green on the Index of Regional Areas NOTE: A zero is used if a series covers more than one subregion or is a region is not subdivided.

3. The third number (and 4th if there is one) distinguishes one series from another when the letter and first two numbers are identical.

For Example, to locate maps for Wisconsin with a scale of 1:50,000, we use the Index of Regional Areas to determine that: V=USA; 7=scale from 1:70,000 through 1:35,000; 6=Great Lakes region including Wisconsin; 1=first series of that area at that scale

So, we are looking for series V761. The index maps for each series are filed with the numerical series first, then the lettered series. Check the index map to see which sheet you need. the holdings should be marked either in the appropriate square on the front, or on the back of the sheet.

NAUTICAL/HYDROGRAPHIC MAPS & CHARTS

Nautical charts provide a graphic representation of a section of the water's surface. Important information includes: depth of water, shoreline of the adjacent land, topographic features that serve as landmarks, known dangers and aids to navigation, and tides and currents. Nautical charts in the library's collection are not necessarily the most current versions, and should not be used for navigational purposes. 

Great Lakes nautical charts are shelved in the map cases under G 3310. They are cataloged and included in the Cofrin Library Catalog. Current nautical charts for other areas are not cataloged or classified, and are filed in the map cases immediately preceding the drawers with the poster collection. The library actively collects nautical charts only for the Great Lakes area. Charts for other areas may be purchased from authorized sales agents, listed in the catalogs below.

To identify the chart needed, you will need to consult catalogs published by the National Ocean Service (NOS) and the Defense Mapping Agency (DMA), the main distributors of nautical charts. These catalogs are in the REF/GVP/US section on third floor, and include:

C 55.418:1/ U.S. Atlantic & Gulf Coasts (NOS)
C 55.418:2/ U.S. Pacific Coast (NOS)
C 55.418:3/U.S. Alaska (NOS)
C 55.418:4/ U.S. Great Lakes & Adjacent Waterways (NOS)
C 55.418:5/ Bathymetric & Fishing Maps (NOS)
C 55.440: DMA/NOS regional catalogs (9 separate regions)
D 5.351/2: DMA Catalog, pt. 2, volume 1-Nautical Charts

AERONAUTICAL CHARTS

Aeronautical charts provide terrain & hydrographic features as well as other supplemental information needed for air navigation. Again, charts in the Cofrin Library collection may not be the most current and should not be used for navigational purposes. They are not cataloged, and are stored folded in filing cabinets along the back wall behind the map cases. To assist in choosing the chart you need, consult the following sources:

Tactical Piolatage Charts - kept in cabinet on 5th floor
Public Sale Catalog-Aeronautical Charts and Publications 3rd floor, REF/GVP/US D 5.351/3-2: (DMA)

FOREST SERVICE MAPS

Detailed sets of topographic maps for different national forests are in the main map collection and can be searched in the computer catalog. Inventory sheets of the library's holdings are filed with the rest of the map indexes on 5th floor. Additional Forest Service maps are in the federal documents collection under the SuDocs call number A 13. 28:

CENSUS MAPS

The census tract maps and block statistics maps, which are used in interpreting census data, are housed alongside the printed reports that they accompany. For assistance with these, please consult the reference staff. Subject maps issued by the U.S. Census Bureau are in the main map collection.
CIA MAPS

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) issues some of the most current outline maps available for various foreign countries. Larger sheets are cataloged and in the main map collection. Smaller maps that are easy to photocopy are kept in the REF/GVP/US collection on 3rd floor, under the SuDocs call number PrEx 3.10/4: in large 3-ring binders. The maps are then filed alphabetically by area name. See the reference staff if you need assistance with these.

ATLASES

Atlases contain a variety of maps and can be either very broad in their scope and content, or may focus on a very specific area or topic. All of the atlases in the Cofrin library are cataloged and included in the computer catalog. They are shelved towards the front of the third floor by the circulation desk.

GAZETTEERS

A gazeteer can help you locate a city, region, country, or geographic feature even if you are not sure where it is. A gazetteer will give you the latitude and longitude or a verbal description so that you may locate a place on any map of that area. In addition, some gazetteers are designed to work with a specific atlas or set of maps, and will be keyed to that. Some of the gazetteers the library owns include:

• Columbia Gazetteer of the World - REF G 103.5 C65 1998x
• DMA/U.S. Board on Geographic Names Gazetteers - This set contains separate gazetteers for many foreign countries, and lists very small villages. The most heavily used volumes are kept on the 3rd floor in the REF/GVP/US collection. The remainder are in the federal documents collection on 5th floor; some are in paper and some are in a microfiche format. For all locations, the basic SuDocs call number will be either D 5.319: or D 5.319X:
• National Gazetteer of the United States of America - REF/GVP/US I 19.16:1200 This gazetteer is more precise in giving coordinates, giving them down to the second, rather than just degrees and minutes.
• Omni Gazetteer of the United States of America - ATLAS E 154 O45 1990 The library only has the volume for the Great Lakes states. This is very detailed, and includes some buildings, churches, cemeteries, and historical places.
• Times World Index Gazetteer - ATLAS G 103 T5 This accompanies the mid-century edition of the Times Atlas, ATLAS G 1019 T5.
• Webster's Geographical Dictionary - REF G 103 W45 1972. This is kept at the Reference Desk.

MAPS ON CD-ROM

Various government agencies, including the USGS are starting to issue maps on cd-rom. Consult the reference staff for more information.

MAP SCALE

Maps are always smaller than the area they show. The scale of a map is the actual reduction factor needed to depict an area on a map that size. Scale is an important factor in helping you decide whether a map will show in enough detail the features you need.

Scale can be expressed either in words, such as "one inch equals 3 miles" or as a relative fraction, expressed as a ratio. An example would be 1:250,000 which could also be expressed verbally as "one unit (such as an inch) on the map equals 250,000 units (such as inches) on the earth".

The phrases smaller scale and larger scale are often misunderstood.

The smaller the number to the right of the colon in the ratio, the larger the scale.
EXAMPLE: 1:63,000 is a larger scale map than 1:250,000

The larger the scale, the smaller the area being depicted, and the greater the amount of detail being shown. One of the largest scale sets, and thus the most detailed, than the Cofrin Library owns are the USGS 7.5 minute topographic maps, which are at a scale of 1:24,000.

Since scale deals with not just linear measurements, but area, the differences in the amount of area covered by various scales can also be confusing.

EXAMPLE: If you have two maps of the same size, one at a scale of 1:100,000 will cover four times as much area as one at a scale of 1:50,000.