Haunted Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Eerie, Indiana: Map of Allegedly Haunted Locations in Indiana from the Ball State University Libraries

Former GIS Research and Map Collection student-assistant Casey Gentis created a special map for a spooky October 2006 map display in Ball State University Libraries. Gentis researched legends of haunted locations in Indiana and created a map of some of the sites. Former student-assistant Jenny Wyatt then re-created the map using Adobe Illustrator for a 2009 map display: Allegedly Haunted Indiana Map.

Gentis discovered, interestingly, that most Indiana college campuses are allegedly haunted. The map features stories about locations at Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, Valparaiso University, St. Joseph’s College, Huntington College, the University of St. Francis, Earlham College, Franklin College, Hanover College, and Ball State University. A prevalence of haunted libraries can also be viewed on the map.

Allegedly Haunted Indiana Map is currently exhibited on the front windows of the GRMC on the second floor of Bracken Library. The map is also available in PDF-format from the University Libraries’ Cardinal Scholar repository at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/. A map of haunted locations in the United States based on the Atlas of the Mysterious in North America is also available from Cardinal Scholar. (The maps can be found under the “Latest Additions” section or under the GRMC creator section).

For more information about these maps, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Africa Symposium Held at Ball State University Features GRMC Maps

Africa Maps Exhibited at A Long Way Back: Ball State University Africa Symposium on October 20

The Ball State University Freshman Connections Common Reader program presented Ishmael Beah’s A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier for this year. Freshman Connections will present a symposium on Africa on Tuesday, October 20 in the Arts and Journalism Building, room 175, at 7:30 P.M.

A Long Way Back: Reflections on Conflicts in Africa will present seven speakers dealing with different African nations:

· Dr. Kyama Kabadaki, Department of Social Work: Uganda
· Fr. Nabil Hanna, St. George Orthodox Church, Indianapolis: Egypt
· Dr. Tendayi Kumbula, Department of Journalism: Zimbabwe
· Dr. Yeno Matuka, Department of English: Congo
· Mr. Momo Fambuleh, Ball State University: Liberia
· Dr. Herbert Stahlke, Department of English Emeritus: Nigeria
· Ms. Meggan Houlihan, University Libraries: Nigeria

The GIS Research and Map Collection will provide a map exhibit for the symposium, providing over fifty new and historic maps of Africa and the changing African nations over time. Images from atlases will also be featured in the exhibit. (The images shown above are from the Africa Adventure Atlas in the Atlas Collection).

Meggan Houlihan, Information Services Librarian for University Libraries, will present the story of Margery Perham during the Nigerian Civil War. Margery Perham was an Oxford don, who made significant contributions to the fields of African history and colonial administration. Over the course of her career, Perham was approached several times by the Colonial Office to advise on problematic African affairs. Nearing retirement at its outset, the Nigerian Civil War gave Perham an opportunity to come back into the political spotlight and help British officials and the public understand the underlying problems of the War. This discussion will review how one must look at the actions of officials and determine whether Margery Perham influenced them, or if they simply took advice from her when she was supporting their interests.

The symposium will be moderated by Dr. Paul Ranieri, Department of English, and was organized by Dr. Martha Payne, Department of English. The program is free and open to the public.

Tech4U Event at Ball State University Libraries Spotlights GIS

Ball State University Faculty Members to Talk GIS at the October 15 Tech4U Event in Bracken Library

By: Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist, GIS Research and Map Collection

Geographic Information Systems, better known as GIS, will be in the spotlight at the Tech4U event at Ball State University Libraries on October 15. The event will showcase three Ball State University faculty members who are using GIS for special projects in their individual areas of interest and incorporating GIS science into their classroom curriculum. Information on how to obtain GIS software, data, and training through the University Libraries will also be presented. The event lasts from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. in the Helen B. and Martin D. Schwartz Special Collections and Digital Complex in Bracken Library, with the keynote presentation starting at 1:00 P.M.

The individual topics and speakers included in the keynote presentation include:

A Brief Introduction to GIS Resources at Ball State University: Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist for the University Libraries: Access to GIS software, data, and learning resources available to faculty staff and students at Ball State University will be presented.

GIS in the Classroom and Beyond: Petra Zimmermann, Associate Professor of Geography: Zimmermann will discuss her experiences teaching GIS to students from disciplines ranging from biology to journalism, as well as sharing some examples of her students’ work. Additionally, Zimmermann will explain her current social media project, which will entail a GIS component. The social media project is an Emerging Media Innovation Grant project. Students are currently gathering meteorological data and transmitting it via Twitter, which results in a digital archive of data. Later this semester, results will be compared with existing meteorological records. Results will be mapped and analyzed using ArcGIS software.

Web GIS for Economic Development: David Schoen, Professor of Urban Planning: Web-based GIS is a cost-effective strategy to deliver data and data analysis to local and state governments. This project involves the use of input/output analysis to make better decisions about development strategies at the county level. Developed by Dr. Nalitra Thaiprasert and Prof. David Schoen, this Web-based program allows users to obtain economic sector linkage data in order to examine the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy.

GIS Projects and Curriculum in Landscape Architecture: Chris Baas, Assistant Professor of Landscape Architecture: This presentation will share observations of teaching GIS to landscape architecture students in the studio setting. It will include a discussion of the student’s mental shift from the design to the planning process, GIS and the accreditation of the Department of Landscape Architecture, and the University’s GIS assets and technical support. Several examples of student work will be shown.

Tech4U is open to the entire Ball State University community, and anyone interested in GIS is encouraged to attend. For more information contact Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist, at ASGibson2@bsu.edu.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Maps in Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Mapping World Breast Cancer

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library is a valuable resource for researchers interested in maps related to breast cancer and other health issues.

The Penguin State of the World Atlas (published in 2008) in the Atlas Collection features a world map showing the most common cancers suffered by men and women in each country (shown above). Not surprisingly, breast cancer was the most common cancer for women in many parts of the world. The atlas also includes a chart showing the differences in new cancer cases in industrialized countries. “In 2002, there were 10.9 million new cancer cases in the world, and 6.7 million deaths,” according to Dan Smith, author of this atlas. A graphic in the atlas shows the number of cases for each cancer in men and women. The call number for this atlas is G1021.E2S65 2008.

The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World (published in 2009) features a map showing the incidence per 100,000 from 2002-2007. A chart identifies the numbers of incidences and deaths from breast cancer per 100,000 women in the United States from 200-2004. Another chart shows the incidence of breast cancer in industrialized countries around the world. The call number for this atlas is G1046.E1S4 2009.

The Atlas Collection also includes The State of Health Atlas: Mapping the Challenges and Causes of Disease (published in 2008) and The State of Health Atlas (published in 1993). Atlas of Disease Distributions: Analytic Approaches to Epidemiological Data (published in 1988) and Atlas of AIDS (published in 1992) are also available from the Atlas Collection for research on health-related topics. The Science-Health Science Library in the Cooper Nursing Building also houses a collection of atlases related to disease and healthcare.

Atlases from the Atlas Collection circulate for 28 days or longer. Maps and images from the atlases may also be scanned by the staff of the GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library.

For more information about these resources, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Wizard of Oz Maps from Ball State University Libraries

Not in Kansas: Wizard of Oz Maps at Ball State University Libraries

The classic movie The Wizard of Oz marks its 70th anniversary this year. High-definition DVD’s and Blu-Rays are being released to commemorate the film’s milestone.

Created by L. Frank Baum in 1900, the first Oz story chronicled the adventures of Dorothy. Subsequent stories filled in the geography of Oz and nearby lands. The Atlas of Fantasy available from the Atlas Collection of Bracken Library includes maps of Oz and its Environs and The Magical Countries Surrounding Oz (shown). The maps of Oz included in the atlas were produced by James E. Haff and Dick Martin.

The Atlas of Fantasy is an atlas made up completely of maps of fictional places. Some of the other locations mapped in the atlas are Treasure Island, the world of Sherlock Holmes, the voyages of Gulliver, Mongo from Flash Gordon, and Pilgrim’s Progress.

The GIS Research and Map Collection also includes maps of other fictional places and maps related to great works of literature. For a complete list of maps and other resources in University Libraries, please review the GRMC Web page subject guide for English and literature at http://www.bsu.edu/library/media/pdf/Literatureguide.pdf.

For more information about the Atlas of Fantasy or any other cartographic resources, please contact the GRMC Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 at 765/285-1097.

Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, and Tokyo Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Focus of the World: Maps of Chicago Available from Ball State University Libraries

The International Olympic Committee will decide the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics today. The four remaining candidates are Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo, and Chicago. The GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has a huge collection of city maps from around the world. The Collection includes street maps, topographic maps, tourist guides, and architecture plans. The set of maps of Chicago numbers in the hundreds and offers researchers and travelers a variety of resources.

Historic maps of Chicago include bird’s-eye view maps that were popular after the Civil War. The collection includes these illustrated maps from 1868, 1893, 1898, and 1916, and includes the central business district and a view of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. One of the oldest maps in the collection of the city dates from 1855, and the Blanchard’s Guide Map of Chicago in the GRMC dates from 1873. Royal Blue Line Map and Guide to Chicago was published in1924. East and West Streets of Chicago map was published in 1907. Road maps of the state of Illinois include maps of Chicago and date back to the 1930’s.

Tourists traveling to Chicago will find a number of maps and guides in the GRMC. The iMap of Chicago includes a 12-page guide with a compass. Chicago Unfolds is a pop-up map and guide, and The World on the Lake is also a tourist guide map. Place Map of Chicago is an easy-to-read map of the city. The GRMC also includes maps of the Ohare Airport area and a map featuring the Sears Tower (shown).

The GRMC has a large collection of aeronautical charts of the area and nautical charts of the city and the south shore of Lake Michigan. A set of topographic maps of Chicago and a 19-map set of geologic maps of the area are also available for researchers. The GRMC also has all of the topographic quadrangle maps for the Chicago area dating back to 1889. Geography students use these topographic maps to track the growth of the city over the last century. Chicago at the Millennium is another map showing the growth of the city using satellite images, historic topography, and bird’s-eye views.

The collection of Chicago maps also includes transit maps, zip code maps, maps of Cook County and the suburbs, the downtown area, and maps focusing on the Loop. The 2001 Chicago Neighborhoods map identifies the traditional neighborhoods of the city. There are also maps of the University of Chicago in the GRMC.

The Atlas Collection includes several street atlases of Chicago. A folio of Chicago maps and plat maps dating to 1876 are also available in the Atlas Collection. Chicagoland Atlas is available as a reference item from the GRMC.

Maps circulate for two weeks or longer from the GRMC. Atlases can be borrowed for 28 days or longer.

For more information about these maps or maps of Tokyo, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, or any other world city, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Maps of Pittsburgh in Ball State University Libraries

Places in the News: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

President Barack Obama and other world leaders are attending the G-20 economic summit in Pittsburgh today. The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library houses a large collection of maps and other cartographic resources on the city of Pittsburgh.

Street maps of Pittsburgh in the GRMC cover the metropolitan area, the central part of the city, and downtown. Baldwin, Bellevue, Bethel Park, Brentwood, Castle Shannon, Oakwood, and other adjoining communities are also featured on street maps of Pittsburgh. The downtown area is covered on several maps in the GRMC, including Downtown Pittsburgh: An Axonometric View of the Three Rivers City. Oblique aerial photography of the Golden Triangle and the adjacent district is also included in the Collection.

Tourist maps of the city of Pittsburgh are available in the ready-reference area of the GRMC. The Gousha recreation and shopping guide map features a directory of activities available in the city. Pittsburgh Map and Visitors’ Guide and Pittsburgh Walking Map and Guide are also excellent maps for tourists visiting the area.

The GRMC also includes maps useful for researchers, including a map showing land use and land cover in the greater Pittsburgh region. Navigation charts of the Monongahela River, the Allegheny River, and the Ohio River are also available.

Researchers studying the history of the city will find a map of Pittsburgh from 1902 in the GRMC. The map is from the Library of Congress’ American Memory Collection of Panoramic Maps, 1847-1929. View of Pittsburgh and Allegheny from 1874 offers another aerial view of the historic city.

The Atlas Collection includes a Pittsburgh streetfinder guide. Urban Atlas: Tract Data for Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas: Pittsburgh is also available in the Atlas Collection.

Maps in the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for four weeks or longer.

For more information about any of these resources, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097 or visit Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

International Center Culture Exchange Program Begins September 16

The World during Lunch Hour: International Center Culture Exchange Program Begins September 16

The Ball State University Rinker Center for International Programs will again be hosting culture exchange programs beginning today, September 16. The weekly programs are held every Wednesday from 12:00 P.M. to 1:00 P.M in the Phyllis Yuhas Room of the Student Center (Room 102).

The culture exchanges feature a student or group of students presenting information about a country. Most of the programs are led by students native to that country, and every week a different country is highlighted. The majority of the exchanges provide an overview of the country and its culture with time set aside for a question and answer session. Attendees are encouraged to bring a sack lunch.

The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library will again this year be providing maps and posters about the countries for the culture exchange program. Maps, photographs and other graphics from atlases, and travel posters from the GRMC are used as a backdrop for the culture exchanges and are often referenced during the question and answer sessions.

Program schedule for the fall culture exchanges:

September 16: Belarus, Alexander Falevich
September 23: Canada, Stephanie Hedge
September 30: Ukraine, Iryna Kushnir and Larysa Maksymenko
October 7: Nepal, Ambar Rana
October 14: Ecuador trip, Field Study students
October 21: Iceland, Gunnar Ingolfsson and Bjorg Hermannsdottir
October 28: Perceptions of the Supernatural, multicultural panel
November 4: Japan, Shuichiro Nishizawa
November 11: Armenia, Tatevik Avetisyam
November 18: Turkey, student panel
November 25: Thanksgiving break
December 2: Russia, Anastasia, Goryacheva
December 9: Azerbaijan, Farana Abdullayeva

Maps of Sierra Leone Available from Ball State University Libraries

A Long Way Gone: Maps of Sierra Leone at Ball State University Libraries

Ishmael Beah, author of this year’s Ball State University Freshman Connections book, A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, will speak tonight at 7:30 P.M. in Emens Auditorium. Beah was abducted into the civil war in Sierra Leone as a child soldier and was later rescued by UNICEF and rehabilitated.

The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library has a varied collection of maps and atlases on the country of Sierra Leone. Atlas of Sierra Leone and Sierra Leone in Maps: Graphic Perspectives of a Developing Country are available in the Atlas Collection just outside the GRMC. Cultural Atlas of Africa is available in the GRMC, and includes information and maps about Africa and its civilizations.

The GRMC also has a set of topographic maps of Freetown, 1:500,000-scale topographic maps of Sierra Leone, and an Army Map Service map of Freetown from 1942. Travel maps of Sierra Leone show districts and provinces, roads and railways, and ferry routes. The Central Intelligence Agency published maps of Sierra Leone available in the GRMC showing vegetation, population, economic activity, ethnic groups, and a map showing the country’s size in comparison to South Carolina. Updated maps of the country published by the CIA in 2006 are also available. The GRMC also includes a set of land suitability maps of Sierra Leone showing areas where citrus and coffee are grown.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Maps of Sierra Leone are not fully cataloged, so please visit the GRMC to see all of the available resources about the country.

The GRMC is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.

Software Locator Available on Ball State University Libraries' Web Page

Finding GIS: Software Locator Available at University Libraries

Users can now find out what software is available on the public access computers throughout Bracken Library by using the new Software Locator. The Software Locator can be accessed from the Student Virtual Library page of University Libraries Web page at http://www.bsu.edu/svl/. Software Locator can be found on the right side of the page.

To search for software installed on the University Libraries’ computers, type the first characters of the software name in the text box. Software titles that contain the characters you enter will be displayed in a drop-down list. Simply click on the correct software title. Then click the box “Find Software” to see a list of how many and the location of computers that have the specific software installed. Searches can also be limited to Windows only or Macs only by selecting the option above the text box.

The computer availability feature can be accessed by clicking on “Map” in the search results. The computer availability map allows library users to see every available computer on any floor of Bracken Library.

For more information, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

GRMC Closed on Monday, September 7

GRMC Closed for Labor Day

The GIS Research and Map Collection in Bracken Library will be closed on Monday, September 7. The GRMC will reopen at 8:00 A.M. on Tuesday.

Ball State University Designated Smoking Areas Map

Ball State University Designated Smoking Areas Map Changes

One of the designated smoking areas on the Ball State University campus has changed for the new academic year. The smoking location behind Pruis Hall near the Emens Parking Garage is now a nonsmoking area. Smoking will now be permitted beside the north entrance to the Arts and Communications Building on the other side of Pruis Hall.

The new map showing all designated smoking areas on campus is available online at http://www.bsu.edu/map/media/pdf/smokingmap.pdf.

Maps of Martha's Vineyard Available from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Martha’s Vineyard

The Obama family is spending its summer vacation in Martha’s Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts. Other travelers interested in visiting the island can find maps in the GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library.

Rand McNally published a map of Cape Cod and its vicinity that includes a map of the island of Martha’s Vineyard. J. Donovan’s detailed road map of Martha’s Vineyard and Dukes County, Massachusetts, includes blow-up maps of Edgartown, Tisbury, and Oak Bluffs. Miller’s Map of Martha’s Vineyard includes detailed maps of Chapaquidick, Chilmark, Edgartown, Gay Head, Oak Bluffs, Tisbury, Vineyard Haven, and West Tisbury.

Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Handiguide Road Map is a water-resistant map with a guide to the area’s finest beaches, historical sites, and recreational activities. The GRMC also includes a bird’s-eye view map of Edgartown as it appeared in 1886.

Several nautical charts at varying scales in the GRMC include the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Also, travelers can check out an atlas with illustrations and maps of the area, Universal Atlas of Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts including Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases from the Atlas Collection circulate for four weeks or longer.

The GRMC is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.

Ball State University Libraries Dillinger Map Available for Circulation

Ball State University Libraries’ Public Enemies: Robberies of the John Dillinger Gang Map Available for Circulation

A laminated copy of Ball State University Libraries’ “Dillinger map” is now available for circulation and via interlibrary loan. The map can be accessed in the University Libraries’ CardCat catalog. The title of the map is Public Enemies: Robberies of the John Dillinger Gang. The Library of Congress call number is G4041.E625. 1934.P83. (Maps from the GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library circulate for two weeks or longer).

The GRMC created the map to commemorate the release of the movie “Public Enemies” and the 75th anniversary of Dillinger’s death. The map was created based on information from a book by Bryan Burrough—Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34—and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Historic Famous Cases Web page. The map pinpoints locations of reported robberies of John Dillinger and his gang and follows Dillinger’s activities through the time of his killing in Chicago in 1934.

A copy of the map is also available in PDF-format from the Ball State University Libraries Cardinal Scholar repository at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/595/.

For more information, please contact the GRMC weekdays at 765/285-1097.

World Atlas of Natural Hazards Available from Ball State University Libraries

Hurricane Bill is looming in the Atlantic Ocean with a projected path toward Bermuda. The satellite image shown above is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, showing Hurricane Bill as it strengthened to a powerful Category Four storm on Wednesday.

Researchers and students of climate, weather conditions, and natural hazards will find a valuable resource about these phenomena in the GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library—the World Atlas of Natural Hazards. This atlas was published in 2004 and provides comprehensive information about the full range of natural hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, freeze hazards, and windstorms, including hurricanes. The atlas covers historical natural disasters, their impacts, hazard avoidance, mitigation, and management, and future prospects related to climate change. The atlas incorporates colorful maps, satellite images, photographs, and graphs and charts.

The World Atlas of Natural Hazards is a reference item and can be used for research in the GRMC. Images and maps from the atlas can be scanned for users in the GRMC. (A map from the atlas above shows the typical tracks of hurricanes with red arrows. The green areas are the sources of tropical cyclones).

The GRMC also includes maps showing storms from various years in history, maps of Bermuda and other islands, and nautical charts of coastal areas around the world. All maps and charts circulate from the GRMC for two weeks or longer.

The GRMC is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. from Monday through Friday. Contact the staff at 765/285-1097.

Woodstock Music Festival 40th Anniversary Map at Ball State University Libraries

Peace, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and Maps: Woodstock Music Festival 40th Anniversary Map Exhibit at Ball State University Libraries

The GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library is featuring a map created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Woodstock Music Festival in a special exhibit. The map uses an aerial photograph from Google Earth marking the location of the field next to Max Yasgur’s farm near Bethel, New York, which was the site of the Woodstock Music Festival on August 15-18, 1969. A poster advertising the concert as “an Aquarian exposition in White Lake, New York—three days of peace and music” is shown along with photographs from Life magazine. The map will be exhibited through the end of August in the windows of the GRMC.

Contact the GIS Research and Map Collection at 765/285-1097 for information about creating custom GIS maps for research or presentations.

Maps of Kabul Afghanistan from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Kabul, Afghanistan

This GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library includes a number of cartographic resources for research and learning on Afghanistan. Several maps of the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul, are part of the collection.

A pictorial map of Kabul published in 2005 (shown above--click to view larger image) details the prominent buildings of the city, including the numerous embassies, government buildings, the public library, National Archives, Ghazi Stadium, and Independence Column. The map shows Shari Kuhna (the Old City) with its shops, markets, and bazaars.

A map of Kabul published in 2001 by Nelles Maps also shows the important landmarks of the city, including Kabul University. The legend of the map is printed in English, German, and French.

The Central Intelligence Agency published an azimuthal equidistant projection map centered on Kabul. The GRMC also includes two other maps of the capital published by the CIA. A 1970 Sahab map of Kabul is printed in Persian and English.

The Historical Atlas of Afghanistan in the Atlas Collection may also provide valuable information and maps for researchers. This atlas chronicles the history of Afghanistan from time of the Aryan invasion in 1500 B.C. to the rise of the Taliban.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for 28 days or longer. For more information, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

New Atlases in Ball State University Libraries

What’s New in the Atlas Collection?

The Ball State University Libraries Atlas Collection is located on the second floor of Bracken Library. Atlases are an invaluable cartographic resource, and the maps and other illustrations can be easily scanned for presentations or for inclusion in documents. Thousands of atlases in the collection cover nearly every country in the world and offer information on a myriad of subjects.

Some of the new atlases in the collection provide new insight into some of the world’s most important challenges: World Atlas of Great Apes and Their Conservation, Atlas of Climate Change: Mapping the World’s Greatest Challenge, and The State of Health Atlas: Mapping the Challenges and Causes of Disease are some of the newest atlases added to the collection. Ocean: An Illustrated Atlas is new to the Atlas Collection and includes charts, diagrams, and information about marine biology.

Some of the new materials provide researchers information about numerous topics: The Penguin State of the World Atlas provides a visual survey of current events and global trends. This new edition presents maps created with the latest statistics on trade, food and water, energy resources, wars, biodiversity, and more. The new edition of The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World provides updated maps about women in the global economy, domestic violence, lesbian rights, women in government, and more.

History and sociology researchers will find many new atlases valuable to their work. The Atlas of Sacred and Spiritual Sites: Discover Places of Mystical Power from around the World provides maps of religious sites of the world’s great religions, including prominent cathedrals, mosques, and temples. The atlas also includes earthworks, holy rivers, sacred stones, and sacred mountains. Historical Atlas of Native Americans includes 150 maps that chronicle the story of North America’s indigenous peoples, including first contacts, Indians in the colonial world, American nations, and survival and renaissance.

National Geographic published two of the newest atlases in the collection: National Geographic Student Atlas of the World includes new photographs and graphics of the changing planet with maps reflecting modern borders with the most updated statistics. National Geographic’s Atlas of China provides over 300 maps and graphics showing the changes in the world’s most populous country, including towns and cities, transportation networks, natural resources, population, and trade. Sites from the 2008 Summer Olympics are provided, and sites of the 2010 World’s Fair in Shanghai are also charted.

Atlases circulate for 28 days or longer. Maps and other images from atlases can be scanned in the GIS Research and Map Collection. For more information, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Map Exhibit Commemorates Lunar Landing Anniversary

Ball State University Libraries Commemorates Lunar Landing Anniversary with Maps

The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library is featuring a special exhibit of the National Geographic The Earth’s Moon map from 1976 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the lunar landing. This map was reprinted from a 1969 version and shows the location of the historic Apollo 11 landing site on July 20, 1969, and other landing sites. (Click the map image above to enlarge).

The GRMC includes several maps of the moon and other planets. The National Geographic map reveals the two hemispheres of the moon. The names of craters and historic photographs of the moon’s surface are shown on the verso of the map. Another map in the GRMC is a map of the moon originally drawn by T. Gwyn Elger called Philips Map of the Moon from 1969.

The U.S. Army Map Service produced a pictorial lunar map in 1963 that is also available for researchers visiting the GRMC. The GRMC includes sets of topographic maps of the moon produced by the Army Map Service and the U.S. Geological Survey. Topographic maps of Mars are also available. A Map of the Heavens in the GRMC was produced by the National Geographic Society in 1957, prior to the lunar landing. Planetary Maps: Maps to Help You find Your Way around on the Moon and Mars and on Some of Earth’s Neighboring Planets and their Satellites was produced in 1991 for those planning more distant travels around the solar system. Other maps in the GRMC detail the geology of the solar system.

For more information about these maps or any other cartographic resources from Ball State University Libraries, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Ball State University Libraries Maps on Exhibit in Indianapolis

Ball State University Libraries Maps Exhibited at Indianapolis Center

Transit maps from Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) and Archives and Special Collections are included in an exhibit at the College of Architecture and Planning Indianapolis Center. The exhibit features maps and student projects showcasing the potential for a light rail transit system from Noblesville to Indianapolis. The maps reveal the history of successful mass transit, including interurban routes (shown above), throughout Indiana.

“Next Generation Neighborhoods, Investing in Transit: An Exhibit of Transit-Oriented Development Potential in Central Indiana” can be seen at the CAP Indianapolis Center Exhibit Gallery located in the storefront of the Indianapolis Center at 50 South Meridian Street near Monument Circle. According to the CAP Indianapolis Center Web page, the exhibit “explores how a public investment in rapid transit can leverage private development to renew neighborhoods and commercial districts and develop Central Indiana in a smarter, more cost-effective and sustainable manner.” Students worked on projects showing the potential for development centered around 18 potential light rail stops from Noblesville to downtown. More information about the exhibit is available on the CAP Indianapolis Center Web page at http://www.bsu.edu/capic/index.html.

For more information about using maps for a special exhibit or development project, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Maps of Puerto Rico in Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Puerto Rico

The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) in Bracken Library has a number of maps and other cartographic resources focusing on Puerto Rico available for researchers and travelers. Many of the resources are available in English and Spanish.

Topographic maps of various scales of Puerto Rico produced by the U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Defense Mapping Agency show details and contours of the island. Puerto Rico is also featured on maps of the Caribbean and West Indies. Traveler’s Map of the West Indies published by National Geographic is a colorful map of the islands that is an excellent visual aid that could be displayed by presenters.

The GRMC also has maps of Puerto Rico with specific themes: A soil map of Puerto Rico is available for research, and an historic reconnaissance erosion survey map created by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1935 is also part of the Map Collection. Other historic maps include a map showing urban and rural population in 1956 and a road map from 1941. This map could be compared to newer maps to study the island’s development. A hydro-geologic map of Puerto Rico published in Spanish is also available.

Puerto Rico is included in the National Park Service maps of the United States and maps of the national wilderness preservation system. Several maps of the Caribbean National Forest are also available.

Travelers planning a trip to Puerto Rico will find a number of valuable maps of the island. MapEasy’s Guidemap to Puerto Rico is a location map and guidebook in one, and it is waterproof and tear-resistant. The map (shown above) is beautifully illustrated and features a map of Old San Juan. Leeward and Windward Islands Eastern Caribbean Cruise Tour Guide and Hildebrand’s Travel Map are also good choices for tourists.

Atlas of Ground-Water Resources in Puerto Rico and a directory of city maps, including San Juan, are available in the Atlas Collection. The Atlas Collection is on the second floor of Bracken Library on the north side of the GRMC, and items are available for circulation from the GRMC or the main circulation counter.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer if requested. For more information about any of these resources, please contact the GRMC from Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 765/285-1097.

World Golf Atlas Available from Ball State University Libraries

New Materials in the Library: World Atlas of Golf

Golf’s oldest major, the British Open, begins today at Turnberry, Scotland. Turnberry is one of the golf courses featured in a new atlas available from Ball State University Libraries. World Atlas of Golf: The Greatest Courses and How They Are Played is available from the Atlas Collection in Bracken Library.

“This book features the greatest golf courses in the world that display architectural brilliance or are simply important in the history of the game.” World Atlas of Golf was published in Great Britain in 2008. The atlas includes a section on architectural design theory, the business of course design, and routing the golf course. Maps and photographs of golf courses from around the world are featured, organized by continent. (Turnberry is featured above). The location of courses on each continent or region is featured at the beginning of the chapters. A description of each course is provided, including how to play the course, memorable holes, and the history of the course. North America and Europe comprises the majority of the courses covered, including Bethpage Black, Augusta National, Pebble Beach, St Andrews, Prestwick, and Royal St. George’s.

Last year students in Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning designed miniature golf holes as part of a landscape architecture assignment. Opportunities in the business of golf course design are available to graduates of landscape architecture. This new atlas will be an excellent resource for students, researchers, and golfers as well.

Many of the tourist maps in the GIS Research and Map Collection also offer information and guides about golf courses in the area, including popular resort locations like Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, and Monterey. Golfs de France is a map of golf courses located in France. USA Today Golf Atlas is also available from the Atlas Collection.

World Atlas of Golf is available from the Atlas Collection and may be circulated for 28 days or longer. For more information about this atlas or other cartographic resources, please contact the GIS Research and Map Collection at 765/285-1097.

Italy Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: L’Aquila, Italy

The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) includes hundreds of maps of Italy that are available for research and learning. The map shown above is a map of the region of Abruzzo in Italy, which includes the city of L’Aquila. L’Aquila is Abruzzo’s regional capital and second largest city and is this week the site of the Group of Eight (G-8) summit. President Barack Obama joined the leaders of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Russia in L’Aquila, which was hit by a massive earthquake in April.

The complete set of maps of Italy in the GRMC includes maps of the country, regions, and cities. Not all maps of Italy have been cataloged, so many of the maps available for circulation and research will not appear in the Libraries’ CardCat online catalog. Researchers are encouraged to contact or visit the GRMC to see the complete set of maps of Italy.

All maps in the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Maps are also available through interlibrary loan. Please contact the GRMC for more information at 765/285-1097.

Holiday Hours for Ball State University Libraries GRMC

Holiday Hours for the GIS Research and Map Collection

The GIS Research and Map Collection will be closed on Friday, July 3 to commemorate the Fourth of July holiday. The GRMC will reopen at 7:30 A.M. on Monday, July 6.

Gary Indiana Maps Available at Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Gary, Indiana

The maps from Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection shown above are sections of the newest U.S. Geological Survey topographic quadrangle map of Gary, Indiana, versus the same area as seen on a map of Gary from 1935. The GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) in Bracken Library includes a number of maps of Gary, Indiana, Lake County, and the Chicago metropolitan region.

The GRMC contains the newest editions of the Gary quadrangle map and copies dating back to 1953 for researchers wishing to see the changes in the city over time. Historical maps of the city in the GRMC date back to 1935 and include maps showing the development of the business section of Gary in 1949, the 1950’s, and the 1960’s. Two maps of different shopping centers of Gary from the 1950’s also offer historical perspective.

The GRMC contains soil surveys of Lake County, aerial photographs of Lake County and Gary, and maps of Lake County and the region showing oil, gas, and products pipelines and physiographic and geological divisions. Many of the GRMC maps of Chicago and its vicinity include Gary. Also nautical charts of the Great Lakes depict the shoreline of the city of Gary. The Gary/Hammond “EasyFinder” map is a durable, easy-to-fold street map of the region available from the GRMC for travelers to the area.

“Streetfinders,” guides, and an atlas called Lake County in Maps are located in the Atlas Collection. Plat books of Lake County are also located in the Atlas Collection.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer if necessary. Atlases circulate for 28 days.

For more information about these cartographic resources, please contact the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. during the summer at 765/285-1097.

Delaware County Railroad History Exhibit at University Libraries

Muncie’s Railroad History Exhibit by Archives and Special Collections in Bracken Library

The Archives and Special Collections is featuring a new exhibit on the history of railroads in Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana. The exhibit, Railroads of Delaware County, will feature photographs, timetables, histories and other items documenting the history of the local railroad industry. A 1907 map of Muncie from the GIS Research and Map Collection (above) is included in the exhibit and shows the location of steam railroads, interurban lines, and city street car lines.

The exhibit runs from July 1 through mid-September. A digital collection of railroad history materials is also planned for the University Libraries Digital Media Repository, http://libx.bsu.edu/.

For more information about the exhibit, please contact John Straw, Assistant Dean for Digital Initiatives and Special Collections at 765/285-5078. For more information about maps and other cartographic resources of railroad history, please contact the staff of the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Indianapolis Cultural Trail Maps Available

Summer Vacation Planner: The Indianapolis Cultural Trail

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an urban bike and pedestrian path connecting neighborhoods, cultural districts, and entertainment. The five downtown cultural districts include Fountain Square, Indiana Avenue, Mass Ave, the Canal and White River State Park, and the Wholesale District. The Cultural Trail will also connect with the Monon Trail, allowing access to Broad Ripple from downtown.

A kick-off celebration last week marked the beginning of construction of the North Corridor of the trail, a one-mile stretch including portions of Indiana Avenue, St. Clair Street, Walnut Street, the Canal, Meridian Street, and North Street. This area is part of the Memorial Plaza Historic District, with the American Legion Mall as the center point of the northern pathway.

The North Corridor is the third of seven construction phases of the trail. The half-mile East Corridor was completed in June 2008, and construction of the Northeast Corridor began in April. The entire eight-mile Indianapolis Cultural Trail is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

For detailed maps and more information about the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, please visit http://www.indyculturaltrail.org/index.html.

ESRI GIS Software Upgrades Available at Ball State University

Upgrades to ESRI GIS Software Now Available to Ball State GIS Community

By Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist, GIS Research and Map Collection

Ball State students and faculty can now upgrade their ESRI GIS software to version 9.3.1. This new version includes added functionality that will benefit students, faculty, and staff. Some of these added features include:

·Improvements to the performance of dynamic map publishing with a faster map service and a new Map Publishing toolbar

·Additional collaboration capabilities of geographic information with a new online Web application and better sharing of layers

·Faster access to Bing maps and imagery by offering ready-to-use data and direct connections via ArcGIS Online

·Enhanced support for Java developers

This update is easy to install and does not require the uninstalling of version 9.3. It works in mixed environments of versions 9.3 and 9.3.1.

For more information about ESRI software updates and information about GIS projects like how to create effective Web maps using ArcGIS tools and resources, visit the ESRI Web page at http://www.esri.com/software/arcgis/whats-new/index.html.

To obtain access to this ESRI GIS software, contact Angela Gibson, GIS Research and Map Collection GIS Specialist and Ball State’s ESRI software administrator, at asgibson2@bsu.edu or 765/285-1097.

Honduras Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Honduras Maps Available from Ball State University Libraries

Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection contains numerous maps of Honduras and Central America. And researchers and scholars can also discover information about the history of Central America from atlases in the University Libraries.

Mapa General, Republica de Honduras is a unique map of Honduras showing the country’s roads and topography. The map includes an inset map of Tegucigalpa. Honduras: Central America Tourist Map includes a distance chart, traffic signs, historical sites, gas stations, recreation areas, and agriculture. Inset maps detail the cities of Tegucigalpa, La Ceiba, and San Pedro Sula. This text of this map is in English and Spanish. The GRMC also includes several updated report maps of Honduras from the Central Intelligence Agency.

Another unique map in the collection is Mapa Forestal (forest map) of Honduras and its neighboring countries of Guatemala and Nicaragua as well as Panama. Tegucigalpa D.C. y Vecindad is a map of the capital city and its neighborhoods. And Bahia de Honduras is a rare map from 1938 showing railroads, main highways, and bridle paths. A similar map in the collection was produced in 1921.

Historical Atlas of Central America and Historical Atlas of Ancient America are available from the Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library and provide information about the history of Honduras and its neighbors. Atlas of Central America and the Caribbean and Climatic Atlas of North and Central America are also available for research.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for 28 days or longer.

Please contact the staff of the GRMC at 765/285-1097 for more information.

Jane Austen's England Map Available from Ball State University Libraries

Sense and Sensibility on the Map: New Literary Map in the Ball State University Libraries

The GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library constantly receives new materials throughout the year. Researchers, students, and scholars use maps to study a variety of subjects from geography to biology and even literature. One of the newest maps in the Map Collection is Jane Austen’s England: A Literary Tour Guide.

The map covers an area in England southward from Manchester to Portsmouth and eastward from Plymouth to Dover. Landmarks and historical houses included in the works of Jane Austen are featured. Illustrations of houses used for television and film productions of Austen’s novels are also displayed on the map.

This map of homes and haunts of the author is similar to other maps in the Map Collection related to the works of Shakespeare, Sinclair Lewis, and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. The Map Collection also includes maps of fictional places such as Narnia.

The GRMC English and Literature Cartographic Resources in Ball State University Libraries subject guide provides a complete listing of the literary maps available in the Libraries. The subject guide is available on the GRMC Web page at http://www.bsu.edu/library/article/0,,59405--,00.html.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. For more information about this map or to request digital copies of maps, please contact the staff of the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Public Enemies Dillinger Map Available from Ball State University Libraries

Big Screen Cartography: Public Enemies: Robberies of the John Dillinger Gang Map Available from Ball State University Libraries

The action movie Public Enemies directed by Michael Mann and starring Johnny Depp and Christian Bale premieres tonight at the Los Angeles Film Festival. The movie is based on the book by Bryan Burrough Public Enemies: America’s Greatest Crime Wave and the Birth of the FBI, 1933-34 (available in the General Collection of Bracken Library). The movie focuses on the legendary bank robber John Dillinger of Indiana, who became America’s first "Public Enemy Number One."

The GIS Research and Map Collection created the map Public Enemies: Robberies of the John Dillinger Gang based on information from Burrough’s book and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Historic Famous Cases Web page. The map marks the locations of reported robberies of John Dillinger and his gang beginning with a robbery in Daleville, Indiana, in the summer of 1933. The map follows Dillinger’s activities through his death the following summer.

A copy of the map is available in PDF-format from the Ball State University Libraries Cardinal Scholar repository at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/595/. Additional printed copies of the map may be obtained from the GRMC weekdays from 7:30 to 4:30. Contact the staff of the GRMC for more information at 765/285-1097.

Washington, D.C. Metro Transit Maps from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Washington, D.C., Metro Maps Available in Ball State University Libraries

The GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library includes an extensive collection of maps of the Washington, D.C. area. Many of the tourist and travel maps available for circulation from the GRMC ready-reference area feature inset maps of the Metro transit system.

The map of the Metro system shown above is from National Geographic’s Destination Map series of Washington, D.C. ADC’s Visitor’s map of Washington, D.C. includes a detailed downtown Washington map and a map of the Metro rail system. Maps published by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority are also included in the GRMC collection. The GRMC also has maps of the Baltimore area and metro system.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Please visit the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. throughout the summer months. For more information, please contact the staff of the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Indiana Summer Road Trip Map from Ball State University Libraries

Summertime in the Hoosier State: Mapping Indiana’s Summer Fun Acitivities

The GIS Research and Map Collection commemorated the beginning of the summer season with a new map exhibit, Summer Road Trip: Indiana. The map features over sixty fun activities and places to visit throughout the state of Indiana.

Important landmarks, state parks, and historic sites are included on the map. But the map also features lesser known out-of-the-way restaurants, factory tours, museums, and drive-in movie theaters. Within the span of a weekend, adventurers can tour the wind farms of Benton County, visit a blueberry farm, amusement park, and fish and wildlife area, and eat at a classic drive-in restaurant.

A copy of the map is available in PDF-format from the Ball State University Libraries Cardinal Scholar repository at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/603/. Additional printed copies of the map may be obtained from the GRMC weekdays from 7:30 to 4:30. Contact the staff of the GRMC for more information at 765/285-1097.

Maps of Tehran and Iran from Ball State University Libraries

Places in the News: Iran

Events surrounding the presidential election in Iran have been the focus of world news reports. The GIS Research and Map Collection in Bracken Library includes a large selection of maps of Iran, including maps of provinces and cities throughout the country.

Iran Country Profile is a map of the country created in 2004 by the Central Intelligence Agency. This map includes a comparative area map, location map, and a list of major historical events in Iran since 1908. The map features ancillary maps of regional physiography, population density, ethno-religious distribution, key petroleum sector facilities, Southern Caspian energy prospects, and the Strait of Hormuz. The GRMC also includes the most up-to-date country report maps from the Central Intelligence Agency.

The Map Collection includes road maps, physical maps, tourist maps of the country, provinces, and cities, and maps of the people of Iran. Many of these maps are printed in English, Persian, and French. Some of the historical maps in the Collection feature bright illustrations of local costumes and handicrafts. A map titled Iran (Persia), Afghanistan, and Baluchistan dates from the 1930’s and features caravan routes.

The GRMC also includes a set of international nautical charts including the areas surrounding Iran. Many of these nautical charts include basic maps of coastal areas.

Maps of the cities of Iran include a set of varied maps of Tehran. The New Map of Tehran includes telephone directories for accommodations for tourists and distance charts. The Guide Map of Yazd includes an index to historical monuments and sightseeing, and selected buildings are shown pictorially. The GRMC also includes maps of Isfahan city and province—both printed in Persian and English.

The Atlas Collection includes several atlases of Iran. The Historical Atlas of Iran and Atlas d’Iran are newer materials. The Atlas d’Iran is printed in French with English captions. This atlas includes an entire section featuring numerous maps of the city of Tehran (shown above). The 1956 Atlas of Geological Maps of Southwest Persia was published by an oil company. An atlas about Iran’s White Revolution is also located in the Atlas Collection.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for 28 days.

Please visit the GRMC between 7:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday throughout the summer to view the Iran maps or research these resources.

Africa Adventure Atlas Available from Ball State University Libraries

What’s New in the Atlas Collection? Africa Adventure Atlas

The Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has been growing with new materials for research and learning in the last few weeks. One of the newest additions to the Collection is National Geographic’s 2008 Africa Adventure Atlas.

Africa Adventure Atlas is designed for travelers and trip-planning. The text is divided into geographical regions with color-coded tabs dividing the types of maps, including national parks, town plans, touring maps, countries by region and adventure activities. The section on adventure activities features maps and photographs with short descriptions of activities like scuba diving, mountain climbing, train expeditions, surfing, and gorilla trekking (shown above).

The atlas features hundreds of maps and color photographs, including 74 National Park and conservation area maps, 50 detailed city maps, and 118 touring maps. Each country is described with facts about flora and fauna, cultural attractions, historical sites, and adventure travel activities. There is even a section on what type of gear is needed for the trip to Africa.

Africa Adventure Atlas is available for circulation from the Atlas Collection for four weeks or longer. For more information about this atlas or any other cartographic materials, please contact the staff of the GIS Research and Map Collection at 765/285-1097.

Ball State University Libraries Provide Summer Learning Activities

Ball State University Cardinal Life Map Game Available as Teaching Resource

Ball State University Libraries GIS Research and Map Collection created this board game featuring an aerial map of the Ball State University campus for a summer camp activity. The game is similar to the classic board game “Life” and features chances for players to earn college credits. Players move their game piece and select “Life” cards of the same color of the squares. The cards reveal different happenings that may or may not earn the player college credit. The game features many of the actual accomplishments of Ball State students. At the end of the game, players find out if they have enough credits to graduate or if they are stuck in their freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year.

Elementary school teachers and student-teachers may wish to recreate a copy of the game for their classrooms. The board, game cards, and scorecards are all available on the University Libraries Cardinal Scholar repository. Colored paper in the colors of the squares on the board will be required to for printing the “Life” cards—yellow, blue, orange, red, purple, and green. (Each sheet should be printed in a different color). Teachers will also need to provide game pieces and die for the game.

The board game can be accessed in Cardinal Scholar at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/566/. The game cards are available at http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/567/. The scorecard can be printed from http://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/568/.

Copies of the game may be acquired directly from the GRMC. Contact the staff Monday through Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 at 765/285-1097 for more information.

Transit Maps of the World Available from Ball State University Libraries

What’s New in the GRMC: Transit Maps of the World

The GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library continually acquires new resources for research and learning. One of the newest acquisitions to the Collection is the book, Transit Maps of the World: The World’s First Collection of Every Urban Train Map on Earth. The book by Mark Ovenden was published in 2007.

The book cover describes Transit Maps of the World as “the first, and only, comprehensive collection of every rapid-transit system map on earth. Using glorious graphics, Mark Ovenden traces the history of mass transit—including rare and historic maps, diagrams, and photographs, some available for the first time since their original publication.”

The author includes a short history of urban rail transportation around the world and narratives on the history of the nearly 200 cities in the book. For some cities, the book includes up to 20 transit maps, some dating back to the 19th century. Six zones divide the cities in the book, including Berlin, Tokyo, New York, Boston, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Santiago, Manila, and Tunis.

Graphic designers, city and environmental planners, transportation enthusiasts, history buffs, and travelers will find this collection of maps invaluable. Transit Maps of the World is available as a reference item in the GIS Research and Map Collection.

National Geographic Bee Finals Air on May 20

National Geographic Bee Finals Air on May 20

The National Geographic Society prepares materials for thousands of schools participating in the National Geographic Bee. Students in grades four through eight are eligible for this challenging test of geographic skill and knowledge. The national finals will air at 5:00 P.M. on May 20, 2009, on the National Geographic Channel. Public television stations will air the finals at a later date.

GIS Research and Map Collection Summer Hours

Summer Hours in the GRMC Begin May 11

The GIS Research and Map Collection in Bracken Library will begin summer hours on Monday, May 11. The GRMC will be open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday until August.

Happy Friday In Ball State University Libraries

Happy Friday at Ball State University Libraries

A fairly new tradition at Ball State University is waving hello to Happy Friday Guy. Happy Friday Guy rides through campus on his scooter donning a cape, helmet, and goggles and wishing everyone a “happy Friday.” Recently Happy Friday Guy drove his scooter into the GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library. After stopping to review some maps of the world, Happy Friday Guy wished everyone a happy Friday and continued on his way around the campus.

Ball State University Students Learning the Art of Cartography

Ball State University Students Learning the Art of Cartography

Ball State University students in Geography 340, Cartography and Visualization of Spatial Data, have been working on final map projects for the class. Geography 340 offers an “introduction to cartographic methods for the visualization and analysis of geographic phenomena,” according to the undergraduate course catalog. In the class “principles of design are stressed with particular emphasis on methods for symbolizing point, line, and area elements and the principles and use of color in cartography.” Students are expected to produce publication-quality maps for completion of the course.

Students are required to take Geography 240, Map Reading and Graphics, as a prerequisite for the cartography course. This class offers an introduction to map design, construction, and analysis. Both courses are taught by Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, Assistant Professor of Geography. Dr. Vaughan has been teaching at Ball State University since 2005.

Students created their map projects using Adobe Illustrator software. Some of the maps produced described tornado activity in Oklahoma, nationally, and globally. The use of public transportation across the United States, tourism and traffic in China, U.S. energy use, obesity and related illnesses, and past Heisman trophy winners were all mapped by the student cartographers.

Maps shown include maps comparing the location of Super Fund projects and cancer rates, U.S. wildfires, hurricane activity, Supreme Court Justices home states and political affiliations, the economic decline of Muncie, Indiana, and tracking the popularity of tennis worldwide as related to French colonialism.

For more information about these maps or the geography courses, please contact the Department of Geography at 765/285-1776.