Atlases
Gazetteers
GIS
Getting Help
Introduction
The Maps Collection houses about 250,000 maps and charts covering the world and parts of our solar system. It also contains atlases, gazetteers, cartographic reference volumes, and government depository publications. The materials collected support teaching and research on campus as well as general reference.
The volumes in the Maps Collection including government document gazetteers have been cataloged and are listed in the UNC-Chapel Hill online catalog. Though many of the flat map collections are not yet cataloged, the Map Finder and other in-house files can be consulted for holdings information about them.
The Maps Collection is administratively part of the Davis Library Reference Department. The Reference Department also collects atlases, particularly those of thematic and historical nature. Many of the maps received through the Federal Depository program are sent to the Maps Collection or the Geological Sciences Library, or both. The Documents Section of the Reference Department likewise houses a number of government maps, particularly Soil Surveys, National Park maps, and Forest Service maps. Davis Reference also supports Geographic Information Services (GIS) for Academic Affairs Libraries.
Types of Maps
The following describes some of the major types of maps contained in the Maps Library. This list is by no means comprehensive; several other kinds of maps can be found in the collection. The MapFinder and the library catalog both serve as portals for finding out what the collection contains.
Aeronautical
Description
Aeronautical charts are designed to help pilots plan and fly a selected route. While aeronautical charts are of immediate interest to pilots they also contain features that are useful for other kinds of research. Aeronautical charts are typically topographic charts with flight information overlayed on top of them. These charts are often the only means of getting topographic information for various parts of the globe.
The following are the main kinds of aeronautical charts collected by the library:
These charts are currently produced by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGIA). (This was formerly known as the National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA).)
How to Find
These charts are listed in the MapFinder. Tactical Pilotage Charts (TPC) and Operational Navigation Charts (ONC) for the world can be found in the Map Cases in the Davis Library Reference Room. Please ask Davis Library Reference Desk staff for assistance in locating these materials.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Description
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the management and conservation of over 250 million acres of public lands and nearly 700 million acres of subsurface mineral deposits. Most of this land is in the western United States. BLM produces maps covering a variety of topics including surface management, subsurface mineral management, recreational access, mineral surveys, floating guides, and more.
Two kinds of BLM maps are predominantly represented in the Maps Collection. They are topographic maps with the appropriate theme overlayed on top. The scale for these maps is typically 1:100,000.
How to Find
Surface management and subsurface mineral management charts are listed in the MapFinder. Other BLM maps and charts can be found using the catalog. Please ask Davis Library Reference Desk staff for assistance in locating these materials.
Country
Description
Country maps show basic details of the political and physical terrain of a country. Cities, provinces or regions, rivers, lakes, mountains, major roads, and similar features are often shown.
Country maps are produced by a variety of private companies and public agencies. Among the more notable public agencies publishing country maps are the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Country maps often come in various scales and often differ in their thematic content (i.e. physical vs. political).
How to Find
Many of these charts are listed in the MapFinder. A basic collection of country maps is available in Davis Library. Please ask Reference Desk staff for assistance in locating these materials.
Electronic Alternatives
Geologic
Description
As the name implies, geologic maps portray selected natural features of the earth. Within the U.S. the U.S.G.S. is a major producer of geologic maps as are a variety of state level departments (i.e. Colorado Geological Survey, North Dakota State Water Commission, etc.).
Below are some examples of what geologic maps portray.
Various kinds of geologic maps for other countries are available but are produced and collected with far less frequency than for the United States.
How to Find
Geologic maps are located both in the Maps Collection, and in the Geological Sciences Library. Many can be identified using the Library's online catalog.
Historical
Description
This category covers a broad and diverse range of material, from facsimiles of maps produced in the ancient world to maps published in the 18th and 19th centuries depicting the world, world regions, and the Americas. Generally, time periods covered in these maps range from the classical period to the 19th century.
How to Find
The Map Collection has several items that may be of general interest. Map Finder and the library catalog can be used to identify many of these.
The North Carolina Collection also holds a large number of maps specifically concerning the state. If your area of research focuses on North Carolina, you may want to contact the North Carolina Collection. Contact information can be found at: http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/
Electronic Alternatives
Nautical
Description
Nautical charts are meant to assist sailors in navigating water hazards and finding safe passage. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Coast Survey produces many of the maps used for marine navigation and all current issues of these are available online (see below). The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGIA) also publishes a substantial number of navigational charts covering the globe.
Nautical charts come in a range of scales depending on the area to be displayed. Bathymetry data (in fathoms) is typically shown on Office of Coast Survey charts.
How to Find
These charts are listed in the MapFinder. Please ask Davis Library Reference Desk staff for assistance in locating these materials.
Electronic Alternatives
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps
Description
Sanborn Maps were originally created to aid the insurance industry in assessing risk. They show towns at specific points in their history and provide detailed information on street layout, civic infrastructure, building type, building use, ownership, public buildings, and construction materials.
Sanborn maps are valuable historical tools for urban specialists, architects, geographers, genealogists, historians, planners, environmentalists, and anyone who wants to learn about the history and development of specific cities, towns, and neighborhoods.(Source: NC LIVE)
How to Find
The North Carolina Collection at Wilson Library contains an extensive collection of Sanborn Maps for the state.
Electronic Alternatives
USGS Topographic Maps
Description
Among the most well-known and well-used maps in the map collection, topographic maps provide users with a quick way to assess the elevation of a given area.
The United States Geological Survey publishes topographic maps for the U.S. at the following scales:
Each of these series has its own index which can be found here.
Aeronautical charts (see above) often contain topographic information as well. They are often the only way to get topographic information for areas outside of the United States.
How to Find
The most recent topographic maps (for all scales) for North Carolina can be found in the Map Collection at Davis Library. Older versions of these maps as well as topographic maps for other regions (with an emphasis on the American Southeast) are usually available. It helps to know both the scale and name of the particular map you need. There is an index available in Google Earth to help with this process. The MapFinder provides information on which maps are contained in the collection.
Electronic Alternatives
US Non-Current
Description
This designation refers to topographic maps that were published in series by the U.S. government from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s, often at a scale of 1:62,500. They can often be very useful for historical research.
How to Find
These charts are listed in the MapFinder. Please contact a member of the Maps Collection staff if you require assistance.
Electronic Alternative
Atlases
An atlas is a collection of maps or charts. While most of us are familiar with general atlases that describe the world or United States atlases that show major roads and cities there are many, many other kinds of atlases. These materials might be devoted to a particular theme ( i.e. immigration, GNP, historical naval battles) and/or they might be devoted to a particular area (i.e. France, China, the Moon). Current and other useful atlases are located in the Davis Library Reference Room on rows 19a and 19b. For help in using or locating these materials please contact the Davis Library Reference Desk. These materials can also be located in the library's catalog.
Gazetteers
Gazetteers are alphabetical listings of place names and the features included can be anything from villages to streams to mountains to cities - any important geographical feature. Gazetteers are also a useful means for finding the spelling and location of a particular place.
A variety of gazetteers are available online. Below are some you might consider utilizing in your research.
The gazetteers in the Map Collection can be found in Bay 8 in the Davis Library Reference area. For assistance in locating or using these works please contact the Davis Library Reference Desk.
GIS
GIS stands for Geographic Information System. Popular examples of GIS include GoogleEarth and MapQuest but there are other software programs that provide powerful tools for manipulating spatial data and performing spatial analysis. A more thorough discussion of GIS as well as the kinds of services offered by Davis Library can be found here: http://www.lib.unc.edu/reference/gis/.
Davis Library also offers a variety of geospatial data. The GIS DataFinder is a great way to explore the kinds of spatial data available from the library. The GIS DataFinder can be found at: http://www.lib.unc.edu/reference/gis/datafinder/index.html
Getting Help
Lost? Still unsure what to do? If you need further assistance please contact: Robert Dalton
Other Campus Resources
There are several libraries on campus where maps and atlases can be found. These include:
If your area of interest is particularly specialized you may want to consider contacting one of the libraries listed above.
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