Maps and Atlases
Getting Started
To accomodate renovation of the D. H. Hill Library East Wing, most of the
Map Collection has been moved (as of March 1, 2006) to the Satellite Shelving
Facility on Sullivan Drive. Call the Reference Desk at 515-2935 to check the
status.
USGS topographical maps for the state of North Carolina, in the 7.5 minute
series, are being moved to the Microforms Room on the 2nd floor of D. H. Hill
Library. All other maps are being moved to the Satellite Shelving Facility
(http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/satelliteshelving/). Maps
can be delivered from Satellite to the library location of your choice
within 24 hours. By appointment, users affiliated with NCSU may also
visit the Satellite Shelving Facility on Sullivan Drive and view maps in the
reading room. To make an appointment with Satellite staff, call 513-7190
or send email to: satellite@ncsu.edu. If
you aren't sure which specific map will suit your purpose, check with a reference
librarian or call 513-2614. Only sheet maps are being relocated; atlases
are not being moved to Satellite and can be located in the NCSU Libraries by
using the library's online catalog (http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/).
These groups are represented within the Map Collection :
- Library of Congress (LC) classification number. Maps
shelved by LC call numbers include all geographic regions
- Superintendent of Documents (sudoc) classification number.
Maps with sudoc call numbers include all geographic regions
- Topographic maps. The library owns 1:24,000
maps for North Carolina and surrounding states, as well as some smaller
scale topographic maps covering regions of the United States.
- North Carolina maps. These include transportation
maps, census tract maps, historic topographic maps, and more.
See instructions at the map case for arrangement.
- NOAA nautical charts covering coastal areas of the
United States, and small craft nautical charts.
- World maps produced by the Defence Mapping Agency
(DMA), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), and the newly created
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
- World maps produced by the National Geographic Society.
- Small format world maps produced by the CIA.
- Thematic maps of the USGS from investigations series
including coal, minerals, water, and more.
For maps not shelved by classification number (LC or sudoc) you may need
to consult instructions at the map case location for shelving arrangements.
In some cases, there is an "index map" in the first drawer for
a series, providing the shelving arrangement. In other cases the maps
are filed alphabetically, or by a report number that must be obtained
from a published index.
Some maps acquired before 1998 may not be listed in the library's online
catalog, so if you do not find what you need, ask a librarian for help.
Some maps, especially some produced by government agencies, may be shelved
in the U.S. Documents stacks rather than in the Maps Collection.
Using the library catalog
A good way to get started is to try a keyword search using place names
and limit your search by format to "maps." Remember: not
all maps acquired before 1998 are listed in the library's catalog, so ask at the Reference Desk if you need help.
Using indexes and databases
There are many indexes
and databases available to help you identify published maps.
In some cases, these indexes provide report numbers that are used to shelve
the maps. When you have consulted these general indexes
or databases, you may need to ask a librarian to help you determine if
the library owns the map you are looking for.
Using atlases
Finding maps in atlases
is an option if the library does not own an individual map for the area
you need.
Services
- Checking out maps -- Maps are circulating items, except for topographic
maps of North Carolina. Maps must first be retrieved from Satellite
Shelving (as of March 1, 2006).
- Photocopying -- There is a large format black and white photocopier
available. Ask for assistance in the Photocopy Services area.
- Getting help -- Ask for help at the D. H. Hill Library Reference
Desk, call the Reference Desk at 515-2935, or email "Ask A Librarian"
at libref@ncsu.edu.
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