Cartographic Subject Guides Now Available from Ball State University Libraries

Cartographic Subject Guides Now Available on University Libraries Web Page

University Libraries preserves a wealth of valuable cartographic resources on various topics. Now researchers can access cartographic subject guides on the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection Web page. At http://www.bsu.edu/library/collections/gcmc under “Maps and Atlases,” review a complete listing of maps, atlases, and other cartographic resources listed by subject.

These guides provide information about resources in the GRMC and Atlas Collection, but also the Archives and Special Collections, Educational Resources Collections, Government Publications, the Architecture Library, and the reference and general collections. Some of the guides include African-American, Native American, women’s studies, and English/Literature cartographic resources. The guides will be frequently updated, so check the list regularly.

For more information about the guides or to research cartographic resources about a specific subject, contact the GRMC staff.

Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in the Classroom or as the Classroom

Back to School with the GRMC

Faculty and community groups are encouraged to use the resources of the University Libraries Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in the classroom or as a classroom for research and learning. The GRMC will create an instruction session tailored to the needs of students on such topics as finding and using maps, types of maps and their use, sources for locating geospatial data, and tools for researching geographical information.

Class assignments requiring the use of the GRMC or any part of its resources are encouraged. Materials from the Collection may be used in a special study area of the GRMC, and faculty may reserve maps when an entire class will be using the materials. The special use of certain materials in the classroom for up to a semester at a time may also be coordinated.

The GRMC Web page can be accessed at http://www.bsu.edu/library/collections/gcmc/. On the GRMC Web page under the “Maps and Atlases” section, click on “Online GRMC Map Tutorials” to find a list of maps tutorials to use in the classroom. Kindergarten through secondary teachers of various subjects can access online lesson plans using cartographic resources using the tutorial, Teaching with Maps: Lesson Plan Guide from the GRMC. Social studies teachers can also review the tutorial, Using Maps and Atlases in Social Studies Lessons.

The GRMC Web page also features online GIS tutorials under the GIS section. These tutorials provide an introduction to using GIS software, using U.S. Census data, and using Google Maps and Google Earth.

Orientation tours of the GRMC for school and community groups may also be arranged. Small-group presentations can also be accommodated in the GRMC or at another venue.

To request an instruction or orientation session, please complete the “Request for GRMC Instructional Session” form under the “Instruction/Workshops” sections of the GRMC Web page or contact the GRMC directly at 765/285-1097.

Democratic and Republican National Conventions Sites Maps in University Libraries

2008 National Conventions Maps Exhibit in University Libraries

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library is featuring a special map exhibit for the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. The exhibit displays maps of Denver, Colorado, and St. Paul, Minnesota.

The map of Denver shows an outline view of the Pepsi Center, where delegates will meet, and INVESCO Field at Mile High, where Senator Barack Obama will accept the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. The map of downtown St. Paul shows the location of the Republican National Convention at Xcel Energy Center.

Both maps are available for circulation from the “ready reference” section of the GRMC. Maps circulate for two weeks or longer.

Historic Map of Hungary in the Ball State University Libraries

Historic Map of World War I-Era Hungary Available in the Geospatial Resources and Map Collection

The Ball State University Libraries Geospatial Resources and Map Collection was enriched over the years with 25,000 maps and 2,000 atlases acquired through a special Library of Congress program due to the participation of the now retired map librarian, Paul W. Stout. Stout participated in six of the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Special Summer projects—each lasting six weeks—between 1977 and 1996. These maps are valuable—sometimes historically significant—resources that can be used to enhance research and learning for Ball State University students and faculty.

The Library of Congress Geography and Map Division Special Summer Project was developed in 1951 to employ the use of interns to process the backlog of maps that the Division received from federal libraries and government mapping agencies after World War II. Ball State University Libraries was one of the many institutions to sponsor a participant in the program over the years. In exchange for their work, participants were able to select duplicate maps and atlases from the Library’s stock and send them back to their sponsoring libraries.

During a four-hour selection period in the 1983 Special Summer Project, Stout discovered two maps he suspected were not duplicates. The maps were of the Hungarian portion of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire dated 1919. One of the maps had specific notations indicating it had been used at the Peace Conference in Versailles, France following World War I. Stout remembers reading “American Commission to Negotiate Peace” stamped on the map. (The Treaty of Trianon was organized as part of the Peace Conference at Versailles in order to determine the borders of Hungary and was signed in June of 1920, so the American delegation may have used these maps as a resource for the peace negotiations).

Stout quickly showed the two maps to the Chief of the Geography and Map Division. The chief thanked Stout and immediately took away the maps. However, to Stout’s surprise, the un-annotated map was returned to him an hour later. Stout did not take the time to record information about the other annotated map because he was preoccupied with selecting as many maps as possible for the BSU Collection. Stout also noted that he did not ask the Division Chief for details “because I thought he might decide he wanted back the second Hungarian map.”

Stout recalled both maps having identical ownership stamps—first belonging to the U.S. State Department in 1919 then transferred to the Central Intelligence Agency in 1949. The map measures over six feet by almost ten feet in size. The title of the Ball State map is Ethnographical Map of Hungary—Colonization and Population by S. Batky and Ch. Kogutowicz dated 1919. The map states “designed by order of the Foreign Ministry of the Hungarian Republic.” The map shows the areas where ethnic Hungarians were predominant. This information was one of the criteria for the negotiations used by the Americans at the treaty. Based on circumstantial evidence, Stout believes this map was used by the American Delegation to Negotiate Peace in preparation for the determination of Hungarian territory.

Paul related the story of the map to Melissa Gentry of the GRMC and Steve Duecker, Information Services Librarian, so the two began to research the history of the map. Duecker was intrigued: “I thought it would be interesting to see what could be found to verify that this map was used by the American delegation to determine the border of Hungary.” Gentry contacted Cynthia Smith of the Library of Congress Geography and Map Division. Smith provided photocopies of annotations from similar maps of Hungary dated 1919, so one of these maps may have been the second map retrieved by the Division Chief from Stout during the special program. Duecker, however, could not locate a record of the map in the listings for the Library of Congress.

Research indicated that two other libraries are listed in WorldCat as owning this map—the London Library and the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. The American Geographical Society (AGS) and the Library of Congress were the only major map research collections in 1919. The AGS collection was moved to the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in 1982. Dr. Isaiah Bowman of the Society was a participant in the Peace Conference at Versailles, and the cataloging records for a number of the AGS-UWM maps are annotated “loaned by the American Geographical Society to the Peace Conference at Versailles, 1918-1919.” The University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee cataloging record for the 1919 map of Hungary contains no notes that their copy was at Versailles. Stout claims, “I think it is plausible that our copy of the map, owned by the U.S. State Department in 1919 was at the Peace Conference following World War I.”

Duecker added that researching the story of this map only fueled his interest in other maps in the Collection. “I knew that University Libraries had an interesting collection of maps. Paul’s love of maps is infectious, and this inspires me to learn more about other maps in our Collection.” The map of Hungary will be on display in the GRMC and is available for historical research and as a learning resource.

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

Guide to Finding Sanborn Insurance Maps in University Libraries

Guide to Finding Insurance Maps in University Libraries on GRMC Web Page

University Libraries contains a large collection of cartographic resources for education and learning. The collection's most notable maps of cities and towns known for giving detailed, accurate information about the history of buildings and other structures are the Sanborn® Fire Insurance Maps.

Sanborn® Fire Insurance Maps are an ideal source of information about the structure and use of buildings. Sanborn maps consist of a uniform series of large-scale (one inch=50 feet), detailed maps depicting the commercial, industrial, and residential sections of cities. The maps were produced by the Sanborn Company beginning in 1867 and were designed to assist fire insurance agents in determining the degree of hazard associated with a particular property.

Researchers can now access a finding guide for Sanborn® Fire Insurance Maps in University Libraries on the GRMC Web page. This guide identifies the location of the various maps throughout the Library—either in the GRMC, Archives and Special Collections, Microforms, or through the Digital Media Repository.

The guide is available on the GRMC Web page at http://www.bsu.edu/library/collections/gcmc/

The GRMC Web page also includes an online tutorial for using the Sanborn maps under “Online GRMC Map Tutorials.”

Educators Can Access Online Lesson Plans Using Maps from the GRMC

Just in Time for Back to School: Teachers Can Access Online Lesson Plans Using Maps from the GRMC

Elementary through high school teachers planning lessons can find creative ways to use maps when teaching history, geography, economics, sociology, science, and even English/literature. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library has created an online guide for using maps in the K-12 classroom available on the GRMC Web page under Online GRMC Map Tutorials. The guide, Teaching with Maps, can also be found directly at http://www.bsu.edu/library/article/0,,54747--,00.html

This online guide provides ideas for using maps and atlases from the GRMC for young children through high school students. Teachers can learn how to teach their students how to create their own custom maps of their rooms at home or of a treasure island. High school students create maps of famous people and inventions from Canada. Ideas are given for using topographic and insurance maps to study how large cities have grown over time. Middle school students use a map of South America to create a picture book about the Amazon rain forest. Students can even learn world geography and sociology studying soccer, surfing, and the Olympics. And teachers can even assign seats for their seating charts using latitude and longitude coordinates.

One unique feature of this online guide is that individual lesson plans are available as PDF files that may be printed off for the classroom. The lesson plans are saved as World Shared files accessible to teachers anywhere.

Maps from the GRMC can be borrowed by teachers or classes can visit the GRMC to use the maps and atlases. For more information about using maps in the classroom, please contact Melissa Gentry in the GRMC at 765/285-1097 or at mgentry@bsu.edu

Maps of Arches National Park Reveal Former Wall Arch

Maps in the News: Maps of Arches National Park in Ball State University Libraries GRMC

One of the largest and most photographed arch formations in Arches National Park in Utah collapsed due to erosion and gravity. The arch is along the Devils Garden Trail, one of the most popular in the park, and is called the “Wall Arch.”

This arch is shown on this topographic map of the area from the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection. The name of the quadrant map is Mollie Hogans, Utah. The GRMC also has maps of the entire Arches National Park.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer.

Maps of Georgia and South Ossetia in the Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Maps of Georgia and South Ossetia in the Ball State University Libraries Map Collection

The Russian military advanced into Georgia today from the two breakaway provinces of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Russian forces were reportedly moving into the central Georgia city of Gori (shown above just below the red border). The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library contains a collection of maps of Georgia, its capital city Tbilisi, and the Russian Federation.

The map shown above is part of a 2006 tourist map of Georgia, “Georgia: A Fabulous Surprise.” A red and black border forms the border of South Ossetia on the map shown. This border also separates Abkhazia on the map. The map key explains this distinct border: “At the time of printing, these regions are not under the control of the central government. Thus, traveling to these regions is not advisable.”

The 2007 International Travel Map of Georgia in the GRMC includes a map of historical regions. A map of Tbilisi on the verso includes a map of the subway system and an index of architectural monuments of special interest. This map is printed in English, German, and Georgian. Another 2006 map in the GRMC published in 2006 shows relief of Tbilisi and Georgia.

Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan is available in the Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library. This atlas is listed as the “first comprehensive guide to the South Caucasus.” The book includes regional facts, maps of mountains, maps of Tbilisi, and information about languages.

Sak’art’velos Geograp’iuli Atlasi is an atlas of Georgia written in Georgian. This atlas was published in 2006 and is available in the Atlas Collection. The Atlas of Russia and Independent Republics is also available in the Atlas Collection. This atlas includes maps of Georgia, with history, population figures, and information about the communication networks.

For more information about these maps and atlases, please contact the staff of the GRMC from Monday through Friday at 765/285-1097.

New Map Exhibit in Ball State University Libraries: Beijing Olympics

New Map Exhibit in GRMC: Beijing Olympic Games

A new exhibit in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library features maps of Beijing and China in honor of the Olympic Games starting next week. The exhibit will be displayed in the windows of the GRMC through the end of August.

Featured maps include a new street map of central Beijing published in 2005 by Periplus Editions. The map is shown in English and Chinese and displays places of interest in the city. A map of the Forbidden City in Beijing published by National Geographic in May of 2008 is also shown.

The exhibit also features the newest map of China published by the National Geographic in 2006. The GRMC created a special map of the Olympic venues with photographs of the new buildings (shown). Other maps from the GRMC featured in the exhibit are Chinese Linguistic Groups and Clothing Recommendations for Travel in China published by the Central Intelligence Agency and a map showing particulate air pollution in selected cities from 1990-1995.

These maps will be available for circulation on August 25. Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer.

For more information, please visit the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Collection of Historic Maps in Digital Media Repository

Historic Maps in Ball State University Libraries' Digital Media Repository

The newest collection in the Ball State University Libraries’ Digital Media Repository is Muncie and Delaware County Historical Maps and Atlases. This digital collection features historic maps of Muncie and Delaware County, Indiana, dating from 1826 to 1903. Towns and township maps are included in the collection. An Atlas of Delaware County published in 1887 is also included. This collection features the use of Zoomify, which allows users to “zoom in” on details.

These maps are a valuable resource for those interested in the history and growth of Delaware County during the nineteenth century.

For more information about these maps, please contact the Archives and Special Collections in Bracken Library at 765/285-5078.

Maps of Yosemite National Park in Ball State University Libraries

Maps of Yosemite National Park in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

Wildfires in California have now moved into an area threatening Yosemite National Park. Researchers can access dozens of maps of the park in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library.

The Map Collection includes a new map of the park and the surrounding wilderness from 2007. This map is created with relief shown by contours and shading. Six bird’s-eye views and a map of “Yosemite creek past and present” are also included. The verso of the map tells the geologic “story” of Yosemite Valley.

Another interesting map of the national park is Satellite Orthoimage of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California. This map of the area was created from satellite images. Map of Yosemite Region is another interesting map in the GRMC that includes a table of campground information. Maps of Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, Mariposa, Bass Lake, the Sierra National Forest, and many other lakes and recreation areas are also included.

Current topographic maps of the park are also available in the GRMC, and many road maps of the state of California include inset maps of Yosemite. An official guide map of Yosemite National Park dated from 1931 is also included in the Collection, as well as a topographic map of the park from 1946.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer.

Please contact the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 765/285-1097.

New Map Exhibit in Ball State University Libraries

Dogs Days of Summer: New Map Exhibit in the GRMC

University Libraries’ Geospatial Resources & Map Collection student-assistant Justine Payne created a special map exhibit for the “dog days of summer.” Payne created a map display featuring the top twenty most popular dog breeds in America according to the American Kennel Club.

The map shows a photograph of each dog in the location where the breed originated. The most popular dog, the Labrador retriever, for example, originated in Newfoundland, Canada. The Yorkshire terrier, at number two, is from England, and the German shepherd, the third most popular breed, is obviously from Germany. Germany is the most common site, with seven dog breeds originating there.

Justine Payne is a junior from Lafayette, Indiana, majoring in public history. She has worked in the GRMC for one year.

Please visit the GRMC on the second floor of Bracken Library to view this special map exhibit on display through August.

Maps of Iran in Ball State University Libraries

Maps of Iran in the GRMC

Another location in the headlines is Iran. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library includes a set of maps of Iran, including provinces and cities of the country.

Iran Country Profile is a map of the country created in 2004 by the Central Intelligence Agency Cartography Center. 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 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.

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. 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.

A current exhibit in the GRMC features a map showing the range of Iran’s missiles to the surrounding areas of the Middle East and parts of Europe and Asia.

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 exhibit or research these resources.

Kilauea Caldera Maps in Ball State University Libraries

In the News: GRMC Maps of Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection has a number of maps showing the Kilauea Volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island, which is currently erupting. Volcano watchers and scientists report lava bursts of up to 150 feet over the last few days, as ocean water invades the underground lava tubes.

The GRMC includes many topographic maps of the volcano at varying scales. The U.S. Geological Survey map shown is at 1:24,000-scale. The Map Collection also includes topographic maps of the Big Island of Hawaii from the Army Map Service.

A 1995 National Geographic map of the state of Hawaii includes an inset map of Kilauea Caldera (also shown). And a 1989 Geoprint map of the Big Island includes a descriptive inset map with marked features of the Kilauea Caldera.

Maps of Hawaii’s Volcanoes National Park are also available in the GRMC. The map Hawaii’s Volcanoes Revealed from the GRMC is also available digitally at http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS46014 . This colorful map features an image of Hawaii illuminated to emphasize sea-floor relief and includes ancillary maps showing bathymetry of the northwest Pacific Ocean, a 3-D perspective view of Hawaii, and an interpretive map of Hawaii’s volcanoes.

The GRMC also includes other maps about volcanoes around the world. Volcanoes of the World, This Dynamic Planet: World Map of Volcanoes, Earthquakes, Impact Craters, and Plate Tectonics and Earth’s Fractured Surface: Living on the Edge are some of the maps in the GRMC including information and graphics on volcanoes. The World Atlas of Natural Hazards is also available in the GRMC.

Please contact the GRMC for more information about these resources at 765/285-1097.

Colombia Maps and Atlases from Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Colombia Maps Available in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

The South American country of Colombia has been in the news thanks to a daring hostage rescue by the Colombian military. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library has a number of resources about the country for those interested in learning more about Colombia.

A travel map of Colombia published in 2004 is an excellent resource. The map has inset maps of the territories of the country, San Andres, Povidencia y Santa Catalina, Malpelo, and Colombia in the world. The administrative and political divisions are also shown on the main map. Depths and contours are shown in gradient tints, and the major highways of the country are displayed. The map also includes indexes, a distance table, and illustrations.

Numerous other maps of Colombia created in varying scales are also available from the GRMC, including a unique physical map of the country. Topographic quadrant maps, a map of major industrial installations, and a map of terrain and transportation are all dated from 1944. The Map Collection also includes maps of Colombian cities, including Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Neiva, and Barranquilla.

The Atlas Collection includes a variety of atlases of Colombia. The atlases include physical maps of the country and street maps, but The Coffee Atlas of Colombia and The School Atlas of Colombia are also available.

Contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097 for more information about these resources.

July Map of the Month in University Libraries

July 2008 GRMC “Map of the Month” Is Disastrous

The “Map of the Month” in the Ball State University Libraries Geospatial Resources & Map Collection is a map showing great disasters that have occurred in North America—mostly in the summer. The map, Natural Hazards of North America, was produced as a supplement for National Geographic magazine in July of 1998. This map features historic hailstorms, droughts, tornadoes, and hurricanes, wildfires, and landslides.

Maps from the GRMC may be borrowed for two weeks or longer. The GRMC maintains multiple copies of National Geographic maps, so both sides of these maps can be displayed during class presentations or exhibits.

Contact the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. for more information about this map or any other resources.

June 2008 Activities in the GRMC

What’s Happening in the GRMC? June 2008

During the month of June, a major focus of the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection was providing resources for educators:

The GIS Specialist began creating custom GIS data for Prairie Creek Reservoir in Muncie for a professor from the Department of Natural Resources/Environmental Management. The Map Collection Assistant consulted with two beginning teachers and created custom lesson plans using maps from the GRMC for use in middle school classrooms in coordination with the GRMC online maps tutorials on the Web page. Some of these lesson plans are available for use at http://ilocker.bsu.edu/users/mgentry/WORLD_SHARED

Researchers visiting the GRMC during the month of June included a marketing thesis student referencing topographic maps of Indiana, a faculty member using a World War I-era map of the Middle East for a class, and a new landowner researching the location of oil wells on his property. Students studying the history of Huntington County used maps and atlases in the GRMC, genealogists researched historic maps of Germany and Poland for their family history, and students from Geography 240 and 101 used maps from the GRMC for class assignments.

Staff of the GRMC created a map of the United States showing college towns for a graduate student in sociology. The map was printed on one of the large-format plotters available in the GRMC.

For more information about maps, atlases, GIS technology, or using the large-format plotters, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Zimbabwe Maps in the Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Un-cataloged Maps of Zimbabwe in the GRMC

The violence surrounding the elections in Zimbabwe has been widely covered on the news. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has several maps of Zimbabwe available for those interested in learning about this country in southern Africa.

A 2002 travel map of Zimbabwe and several basic maps produced by the Central Intelligence Agency are available in the ready-reference area of the GRMC. These maps have been cataloged and can be viewed in the University Libraries’ CardCat online catalog. However, the GRMC also has many maps of Zimbabwe that are not listed in the catalog. There are also maps of the country featuring its former names, Southern Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia, Rhodesia, and the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.

Many maps of Zimbabwe in the GRMC would be excellent for studying the climate, physical features, and industry of the country. The Collection features a map of the average rainfall of Southern Rhodesia, a physical map of Zimbabwe, a map of the minerals of Zimbabwe, a map of gold mines in the country, and a soil map of Zimbabwe Rhodesia.

The GRMC has maps of Zimbabwe showing tribal trust lands, the location of tribes and languages shortly after independence, a map showing the African and European population distribution of the country in 1969, and maps showing the percentages of Ndebele and Shona speakers by district.

Several beautiful tourist maps of Zimbabwe and Rhodesia are included in the GRMC. There are also maps of the national parks and a gazetteer road map of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Regional maps including Zambia and Malawi, and city maps of Bulawago and Harare and its former name Salisbury are also available in the GRMC.

All maps—cataloged and un-cataloged—can be borrowed from the GRMC for two weeks or longer.

Contact the GRMC for more information about the collection of Zimbabwe maps or any other resources for research and learning.

Flood Maps Available in the Ball State University Libraries

Maps in the News: Flood Maps Available in the GRMC

In the wake of recent historic flooding throughout the Midwest, home owners are reevaluating their decisions regarding the purchase of flood insurance. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library offers a large collection of floodway and flood boundary maps for research.

The Map Collection includes a large set of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency flood boundary maps, which show the boundaries of 100-year and 500-year floods. The Collection includes map sets of 28 Indiana counties and over 100 Indiana towns, including Indianapolis, Martinsville, Columbus, and Prince’s Lake—the site of a dam failure during recent flooding.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers created flood maps based on U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps. Flood Areas: White River, Buck Creek, Killbuck Creek, Jakes Creek, Muncie, Indiana and Little Calumet River, Indiana: Summary of Flood Control Features are local maps available from the GRMC. The Corps of Engineers maps also include a United States map of civil works activities, Central and Southern Florida Flood Control Project map, Mississippi River, Hannibal, Missouri: Flood Control Project, Fountain Creek at Pueblo Flood Forecast map, and Major Flood Damage Areas, Minnesota and South Dakota. Flood maps created by the Corps of other towns on the Mississippi River, the Rock River, the Raccoon River, and the Cedar River are also available for research from the GRMC, as well as flood areas in Florida.

Another set of 30 flood maps of Indiana and Kentucky cover the Ohio River flood plain. A map of the Potomac River Basin’s major flood problem areas is also in the Collection. Also an electronic resource, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works Activities, is available in the GRMC.

Researchers requiring flood maps can borrow maps for two weeks or longer. Visit the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Travel Guides Available in Ball State University Libraries

University Libraries Offers Travel Guides for Women

Summer travel planning specifically for women can be researched using guides available from the University Libraries. These travel guides focus on issues women or solo travelers should consider.

The Traveling Woman: Great Tips for Safe and Healthy Trips by Catherine Comer and Lavon Swaim is available in the General Collection of Bracken Library. This book provides information about researching destinations and cultural differences, transportation, accommodations, travel documents and trip and medical insurance. Tips for packing are included, and special section focuses on safety issues for women travelers. The book also lists favorite websites for women travelers.

Travelin’ Lady by Barbara Goldstein is another guide directed at women making travel arrangements. In the book the author lists two important rules to remember for the woman traveler: “Traveling isn’t for sissies; and as well planned as a journey may be, loneliness and disappointment can ambush you.” This book provides travel tips and terms with illustrations to help women “plan to be alone, not lonely.”

Complete Book for the Intelligent Woman Traveler, A Woman Tenderfoot in Egypt, A Woman in the Balkans, and Everywoman’s Guide to Travel are also travel guides directed at a female audience available in Bracken Library. The Atlas Collection and Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of the library also house several travel guides and maps.

New Materials in the University Libraries Focus on China

New Materials in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection: Focus on China

The Summer Olympic Games begin in Beijing, China, on August 8 and will last for two weeks. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection acquired several new materials focusing on China.

Two new National Geographic maps of China are available in the Collection. The 2008 National Geographic map of China, China: Journey of Rock and Water, features inset maps showing areas of the Himalaya, deserts, plateaus, Karst Landscape, Sichuan Basin, the North China Plain, and Boreal Treasures. A map illustration of the Forbidden City is shown on the verso with a timeline of China’s history. The 2006 National Geographic map shows China surrounded by its neighbors.

Several new city maps of China have also been acquired to add to the hundreds of city maps from the country in the Collection. New city maps of Zunyi, Xian, and Shanghai are available.

A new map of Beijing in the Collection includes maps of the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City and includes locations of the Olympic venues. The map of Beijing also includes important travel information, including conversion charts, information about currency, and temperature and precipitation charts. The map lists the top thirty sights in Beijing and includes a map showing the lines of the transportation system, the Beijing Metro. This map is printed in English and Chinese.

Maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer. For more information about these maps, please contact the staff of the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Genealogy Workshop Featuring Maps June 20

Genealogy Workshop Featuring Maps on June 20

The Johnson County Museum of History, Genealogy Library is sponsoring a Genealogy Research “Late Night” workshop on Friday, June 20 from 6:00 P.M. to midnight. At 7:00 P.M. Betty Warren will present a class, “Using Maps to Discover Your Family History.” The presentation will last about an hour and features maps on display from the museum’s collection.

Warren will show participants how to use maps, including Sanborn maps, survey sketches, plat books, and topographic maps in family history research. Betty Warren works in the Genealogy Division at the Indiana State Library, sits on the Indiana Historical Society Program Advisory Board, and is the immediate past-president of the Indiana Genealogical Society.

The program is free. The museum is located at 135 North Main Street in Franklin. A parking lot north of the building and street parking are also free. For more information about the workshop, visit http://www.johnsoncountymuseum.org

June 2008 GRMC Map of the Month: San Francisco

June “Map of the Month” Features Two Views of San Francisco

The June 2008 “Map of the Month” in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection is The Ecology and Natural History of San Francisco: Wild in the City. This poster map presents two views of the city—pre-1750 and one from the 1990’s. The map displays ecological zones of the city and locations of Ohlone Indian villages. Relief on the map is shown by contours and shading, and new built-up areas of the city are also presented.

Watercolor illustrations on the map show the endangered birds, butterflies, and wildflowers native to the city. An Ohlone story with English translation and pictures of an Ohlone basket and necklace are also shown on the map.

The map was published with donations from the San Francisco Foundation, Nu Lambda Trust, and the Haight Ashbury Neighborhood Council and sponsored by Planet Drum Foundation. Information about protecting these natural habitats is available on the map.

The map is available to circulate for two weeks or longer. For more information about this map, please contact the staff of the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.

Map Game for Summer Road Trips

Map Game for Summer Road Trips

The United States map shown, “On the Quest for Heroes,” was used for an activity during “Heroes Week” of the Ball State University Cardinal Kids Camp. Heroes are hidden all over the map—and not just superheroes like Batman and Superman. Police and firemen, astronauts, teachers, and even mom, dad, and grandparents are represented on the map of the United States.

Click on the image above to print off a copy to keep young travelers occupied (and learning U.S. geography) on those long summer road trips. Just circle the heroes and name the states in which they are located.

For more information about this map or other map travel games, please contact the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library at 765/285-1097.

IndianaMap Merger Effective June 4

One-Stop Shop for Indiana GIS

The GIS Atlas for Indiana and the IndianaMap merged as one source on June 4. The IndianaMap can be used by GIS professionals or the general public. It provides access to high quality GIS data layers that can be used for public safety purposes, economic development, environmental investigations, tax assessments, and other uses according to the Indiana Geographic Information Council Web page. Users can access the IndianaMap at http://www.in.gov/igic/projects/indianamap/index.html

Planetary Maps and Atlases Available in University Libraries GRMC

Maps of Mars Available in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

NASA’s Phoenix Mars Lander touched down on the Red Planet on Sunday night. The Phoenix began transmitting images of the surface of the northern polar part of the planet. (Images appear at www.nasa.gov/phoenix ). The rover’s equipment will begin digging the planet's terrain for the raw ingredients necessary to support life on Mars.

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection has maps of Mars available for those who wish to study the planet in more detail. The GRMC has topographic maps and pictorial representation maps of the Red Planet. The United States Geological Survey published Geology of the Solar System and 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 in 1991, and both are available in the GRMC.

National Geographic has published many maps of the solar system, including The Red Planet Mars and A Map of the Heavens. In 2006 National Geographic updated their solar system maps with Eight Planets: The New Cosmic Order, a map showing Pluto as a dwarf planet. These maps are also available for circulation from the GRMC.

The NASA Atlas of the Solar System and Orbit: NASA Astronauts Photograph the Earth are other resources about outer space available in the Atlas Collection.

Please contact the staff of the GRMC for more information about these planetary maps and atlases.

Bicycle Route Maps Available at Ball State University Libraries

National Bike Month in May: Bike Maps Available in the University Libraries

Ball State University became a part of the national celebration of National Bike Month in May, and employees were encouraged to participate in Bike-to-Work Day on May 16. The University even created a bike rack location map with trails marked. This map is available at http://bsu.edu/workingwell/media/pdf/bike-rack-map.pdf

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has a large collection of bike trail maps for those bicyclists motivated to use their bikes even more this summer. The GRMC has dozens of trail maps available that were published by Bikecentennial, the former name of the Adventure Cycling Association. The Adventure Cycling Association is an organization promoting long-distance bicycle tours across America, and many of these maps provide information about the condition and elevation of the trails and even edible plants along the trail. These maps also show the locations of bike shops, grocery stores, hotels, and post offices, and provide statistics about weather conditions.

The Collection includes Bikecentennial maps of sections of the Trans-America Bicycle Trail, the Great River Bicycle Trail, bike routes from Iowa to Maine, routes from Maine to Virginia, routes from Virginia to Florida, and many other trails. Bicycle trails in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Florida, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin are all available on maps in the GRMC.

The GRMC also has a copy of the Official Bicycle Map of Illinois. Individual county bike maps of numerous counties in Michigan and special trail maps of Ohio are also available for circulation.
The Collection of bicycle trail maps is available in the ready-reference area of the GRMC, but these maps are not yet cataloged so maps cannot be located using the CardCat system. Stop by the GRMC, and staff can find the bicycle trail maps needed for planning treks across the country.

Maps of Australia and New Zealand Available in the GRMC

New Zealand and Australia maps in the GRMC

The 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner Scott Dixon is the first native of New Zealand to win the race. Dixon actually was born in Brisbane, Australia and moved to Auckland, New Zealand at a young age.

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has hundreds of maps of Australia and New Zealand available for research and learning. Most of the maps of this “down under” area of the world have not yet been cataloged, so a visit to the GRMC is necessary to provide more information about the maps available. A CardCat search will not reveal all of the maps available for the area.

The GRMC includes hundreds of thematic and topographic maps of Australia and New Zealand, including a set of 2002 topographic maps of New South Wales with aerial photography on the verso. The topographic maps of the countries are available at various scales. City maps for Auckland, Brisbane, Sydney, Wellington and dozens of other locations are also available in the GRMC. And maps of the islands around New Zealand can also be researched in the GRMC.

All maps from the GRMC circulate for two weeks or longer and may be used for semester-long projects in the classroom. For more information about these maps, please contact the GRMC Monday through Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. at 765/285-1097.

Using GIS in Archaeology

Indiana Jones and GIS

The new “Indiana Jones” movie officially opens in theaters today, and the field of archaeology will once again be in the spotlight. Archaeologists like the fictional Dr. Jones are beginning to expand their understanding of their research by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

GIS provides a tool for linking objects on a map to a database, and archaeology is a field that utilizes data in a spatial manner. Data from ancient documents and from field research can be mapped and charted using GIS. Archaeologists can chart the distribution of peoples, study ancient governments, and map ancient trade routes. GIS software can assist in surveying an archaeological site, creating a model of the site, and creating a map of the site.

The National Science Foundation is sponsoring the National Historic Geographic Information System at http://www.nhgis.org/. This site provides census data and GIS-compatible boundary files for the United States between 1790 and 2000. Users can access the NHGIS Shape Finder using GIS software to access and map data. Data can be accessed with the NHGIS Data Finder, and users can use Social Explorer to map census data from 1940 to 2000.

The National Park Service is using GIS and GPS technology to map historic battlefields and other sites. More information and sample projects are available at http://www.nps.gov/history/hdp/crgis/index.htm

The Silk Road Foundation newsletter details the use of GIS in archaeological projects throughout central Asia. “The Origin of Chess and the Silk Road” and “Evolving the Archaeological Mapping of Afghanistan” are some of the featured articles at http://www.silk-road.com/newsletter/vol1.html

Researchers interested in learning more about using GIS technology in archaeology can find several books in the General Collection in Bracken Library. Geographical Information Systems in Archaeology by James Conolly, Spatial Technology and Archaeology: the Archaeological Applications of GIS by David Wheatley, and Practical Applications of GIS for Archaeologists: A Predictive Modeling Toolkit by Konnie Westcott are all excellent resources about the field. Placing History: How Maps, Spatial Data, and GIS Are Changing Historical Scholarship by Anne Kelly Knowles is a new reference item in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection.

The GRMC on the second floor of the Library has eight computer work stations available with the latest GIS software, and the GIS Specialist is available for assistance with projects. GIS software is also available on the computers located in the Periodical Reserves area of the Library and the Architecture Library.

Holiday Hours in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

GRMC Holiday Hours

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday, May 26. The GRMC will reopen at 7:30 A.M. on Tuesday, May 27.

Ohio Watershed Maps in University Libraries GRMC

New Materials in the GRMC: Ohio Watershed Maps

New maps of Ohio watersheds are available in the Ball State University Libraries Geospatial Resources & Map Collection. The set of 20 maps published by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District in 2002 was a gift from Ball State University alumnus Jacqueline Luzar.

The maps of various creeks in northeastern Ohio include land cover and land use statistics, a map of the community and community statistics, a topography map of the area, and a watershed map including roads and drainage networks showing pipes, culverts, and streams. The maps also include photographs of the area and an inset map of the watershed’s location in Ohio.

The watershed areas included are Abram Creek, Bakers Creek, Bear Creek, Big Creek, Brandywine Creek, Busby Ditch, Chippewa Creek, Dugway Brook, Euclid Creek (shown), Furnace Run, Hemlock Creek, Mill Creek, Nine Mile Creek, Plum Creek, Sagamore Creek, Shaw Brook, Tinkers Creek Main Branch, West Branch, West Creek, and Wood Creek.

These maps may be checked out individually and can be borrowed for two weeks or longer. For more information about using these maps for research and learning, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.

Guide to Atlases in Ball State University Libraries

Guide to Atlases in University Libraries

Atlases can offer a world of information to researchers, and the Atlas Collection in Bracken Library contains thousands of atlases of the world, nations, cities, and various specific themes. However, researchers can find atlases located in other areas of University Libraries in addition to the Atlas Collection.

Some atlases are cataloged to be located in the general collection due to the percentage of maps found in the work. These atlases still contain many maps and data that might be useful to researchers. The Atlas of Poverty in America: One Nation, Pulling Apart, 1960-2003 is an excellent atlas using U.S. Census data in maps about poverty in relation to children, the elderly, Hispanics, Blacks, and other groups in the American population.

The Atlas of European Values is located in the general collection and features maps involving national pride, religion, the work environment, women, politics, and social outlook and networks.

The Gourmet Atlas in the general collection is obviously an atlas all about the foods of the world. This atlas features maps showing the pastas of Italy and the locations of the earliest fruits in the world.

The Penguin Atlas of Endangered Species (shown) offers a thorough examination of the threatened species around the world. This atlas offers maps showing the specific ecosystems of the world and maps about the various endangered animals. The atlas also features graphs and other statistics about the plight of these species.

The Atlas of Egyptian Art, Historical Atlas of American Crime, Atlas of the Civil War, Historical Atlas of the Renaissance, Historical Atlas of Religions, Historical Atlas of the Celtic World, and the Routledge Atlas of African American History are just some of the other atlases available in the general collection.

Atlases can also be located in the reference collection. The Archives and Special Collections houses rare and historical atlases. The Architecture Library includes atlases about architecture, world cities, and the popular Delorme topographic atlases of states. The Science Library includes many atlases about outer space, including stars and galaxies. The Government Publications area includes many atlases produced by the U.S. government, including the new U.S. Census Atlas. And Educational Resources in the lower level contains many atlases directed to children, including the Dinosaur Atlas.

Atlases can be an excellent resource for researchers since the maps can be easily scanned for inclusion in a presentation or report. Users can search for atlases in the Library’s CardCat system under the “advanced search.” Just enter the topic of interest and the word atlas to find an atlas related to many disciplines and areas of study.

New Materials in the Ball State University Libraries GRMC

Maps for Young and Old Available in University Libraries GRMC

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library has added a unique item to its collection of resources. Elementary education students often use basic maps and other resources from the GRMC in various lessons, so more juvenile resources are being added for the younger library users. There’s a Map on My Lap is a new book available in the GRMC. The book by Tish Rabe is from The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library series.

This new book introduces beginning readers to all different kinds of maps, even featuring a section on topographic maps and latitude and longitude. The elements of a map like legends, scales, and the compass rose are also described. The book even features ideas for games using maps and a glossary to explain the geographic terms, all using the rhyming made famous in the Dr. Seuss books:

You may travel the world,
But no matter how far,
With a map on your lap,
You will know where you are.

This book is available as a reference item in the GRMC. The GRMC is open from 7:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday throughout the summer.

GIS Workshops at Ball State University Libraries

GIS Workshops Available at University Libraries

Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection, will be conducting two GIS workshops in May for faculty and staff of Ball State University. Geographic Information Systems: Introduction will be held on Wednesday, May 14 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in Bracken Library room 008. This course provides the basics of GIS and its applications in various businesses and academic disciplines.

GIS Trends: Google Maps on the Web will be presented on Wednesday, May 28 from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in Bracken Library room 311. This workshop teaches how to embed a Google map on Web pages and how to add informative points on the map.

To register for these workshops, visit http://www.bsu.edu/techtrain or contact Yasemin Tunc at 765/285-5902 or Angela Gibson at 765/285-1097.

Map Display for May in University Libraries

May 2008 “Map of the Month” in the GRMC

The “Map of the Month” for May 2008 is actually three maps of Cape May, New Jersey. The GRMC features thousands of maps of vacation destinations for the summer like Cape May and tourist favorites around the world.

April 2008 Events in the GRMC

April 2008 in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

Over 70 students in Geography 101 completed a semester-long classroom project, Fluvial-Focused Topographic Maps, using maps from the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection. Dr. David Call, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography, worked with Melissa Gentry from the GRMC developing lessons using specific topographic maps. Students used new and historic maps to evaluate the development of flood-prone areas around the United States.

Melissa Gentry also provided a customized instructional session to students in Social Science 397, Elementary Social Studies Teaching Methods, for Brian Scott from the Department of History. The session showed students how to use maps and atlases in elementary lessons and classroom activities and games.

Angela Gibson, GIS Specialist, presented a specialized instructional session to students in Journalism 102 for Sheryl Swingley, Instructor in the Department of Journalism. This session showed students how to implement GIS mapping into news stories.

Students from the Indiana Academy also used maps from the GRMC to complete a classroom assignment on international rivers. Also students from the College of Architecture and Planning Environmental Design Studio and Architecture 100 completed final projects using GIS and maps from the GRMC during the month of April.

For more information about customized instructional sessions and classroom projects using resources from the GRMC, please contact the staff at 765/285-1097.

Summer Hours in the University Libraries GRMC

Summer Hours for the GRMC Begin May 5

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection hours for the summer session begin on Monday, May 5. The GRMC will open at 7:30 A.M. and close at 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday until August.

Maps of the Seychelles in University Libraries GRMC

Final Destination: Maps of the Seychelles Available in University Libraries

The final day of the Today Show “Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?” adventure has the host landing in the country of the Seychelles. Travelers to this Indian Ocean island paradise will enjoy the beautiful sights, white sand beaches, and crystal turquoise waters.

The University Libraries Geospatial Resources & Map Collection offers several resources for tourists visiting the Seychelles. Seychelles: Detailed, Informative, Practice, Including Victoria Town Plan is an invaluable tourist map. The convenient folded map features a location map, a map of Victoria’s city center, the city of Beau Vallon, maps of the botanical gardens and Bird Island, and the Vallee de Mai Nature Trail. The map also shows a calendar of events and language tips. The legend is printed in English, German, and French.

The Atlas Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library also has an informative atlas about the country, Atlas for Seychelles. The atlas features several thematic maps of the country and also maps showing the relationship of the Seychelles to the rest of the world.

Contact the staff of the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection at 765/285-1097 for more information about these resources.

Where in the World Is Matt Lauer? Maps of Istanbul in University Libraries

Maps of Istanbul, Turkey Available in GRMC

Istanbul, Turkey is the fourth destination of the Today Show’s “Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?” adventure. Straddling Europe and Asia, Turkey is where “East” meets “West.”

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection contains several maps of Turkey and the city of Istanbul specifically. Lonely Planet Istanbul is an excellent map for tourists and includes a telephone directory, suggested walking tour, and a Turkish-English glossary. The map features inset maps of Old Istanbul, central Istanbul, and the Topkapi Palace. Turkey Tourist Map, created by the Turkish Ministry of Tourism, shows relief in shading, an inset map of Turkey in Europe, and distances from the airport. Isztambul, Terkep is another interesting map of the city printed in Hungarian, German, English, and French.

The Atlas Collection also includes several atlases and guidebooks about Turkey, including Turkey: Lonely Planet Travel Atlas. This guide is printed in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.

Maps can be borrowed for two weeks or longer. Atlases check out for four weeks.

Map Exhibit Features Cell Phone Driving Laws

Map of State-by-State Cell Phone Driving Laws

Drivers planning a summer road trip across the country may wish to print a copy of this map for their records. The map shows state-by-state laws involving driving and using cell phones. Most of the laws will be valid by July if not already in effect. Drivers may add purchasing a headset to their summer vacation planning to-do list in order to avoid being fined for cell phone use.

A large copy of the map is featured in an exhibit in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection windows on the second floor of Bracken Library.

The map was featured in Wired magazine. (Sources: Governors Highway Safety Association, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

Maps of Laos Available in University Libraries

Laos Maps and Atlases Available in University Libraries

The third stop of the “Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?” adventure takes the Today Show host to Southeast Asia, to the landlocked Communist country of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, more commonly Laos. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection and the Atlas Collection in Bracken Library have several resources for travelers wishing to also visit Laos, known as the “Realm of a Million Elephants.”

A travel map of Cambodia and Laos from 2003 is available in the GRMC for checkout. This map features inset maps of major tourist attractions and Vientiane City. The map shows four categories of roads throughout the country, and the map is printed in English and French. Another map of the region, Cambodge, Laos, Viet Nam, shows relief in shading and spot heights. This map is printed in English, French, German, and Hungarian.

The Atlas Collection adjacent to the GRMC on the second floor of Bracken Library also houses some atlases of Southeast Asia and Laos speicifically. Atlas of Laos: The Spatial Structures of Economic and Social Development of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, printed in 2000, is available in English. This atlas features several different maps of the country and covers economic and social conditions. Laos: A Lonely Planet Travel Atlas is an excellent resource for tourists. The atlas is similar to a guidebook and features detailed road maps and information about famous attractions throughout the country. This atlas is printed in English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese.

Maps from the GRMC can be checked out for two weeks or longer. Atlases circulate for four weeks. Contact the staff of the GRMC for more information about these maps and atlases.

Tracking Matt Lauer with Maps from University Libraries, Day Two

Day Two of Mapping Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?

The second day of the Today Show’s “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” segment found the host in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection in Bracken Library has an extensive collection of maps of Amsterdam and the Netherlands.
A perfect map for tourists of the city is the Amsterdam City Map from Dorling Kindersley Publishers. This folded laminated map shows the locations of museums, sights, galleries, and transportation routes, including the rail and metro network. The map also features ancillary maps of “Amsterdam’s best canals and waterways.”

Another map from the GRMC, Amsterdam by Car, also shows the transportation routes of the city. This map also includes traffic regulations and maps of parking zones. Patent-Folded Amsterdam map is another useful map of the city, and includes information in Dutch, French, German, and English.

The Amsterdam Pictorial Map and City Guide (shown) is a map of the significant architecture of the city, including line-art sketches of selected buildings and points of interest.

Please contact the staff of the GRMC Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. for more information about these travel resources.

Following Today Show's Matt Lauer Using Maps from University Libraries

Following Matt Lauer Using Maps from University Libraries

Matt Lauer, host of the Today Show on NBC, is once again traveling around the world for a week for the program’s annual “Where in the World is Matt Lauer?” Monday was the first day of the journey, and viewers got a glimpse of Lauer dancing the tango. Where in the world was Matt Lauer? Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The Geospatial Resources & Map Collection has a number of maps of Buenos Aires and Argentina for adventurers ready to follow Matt Lauer around the world. Buenos Aires: the Golden Map features a map of the city with selected buildings shown pictorially and five suggested walking tours. Mapas de Integracion Turistica Chile-Argentina features inset tourist maps of Buenos Aires. The GRMC also includes a map of the city from 1928 and a topographic map of the city from 1925.

Maps may be borrowed from the GRMC for two weeks or longer. Please contact the staff of the GRMC for more information about these maps or any others from the Collection.

Golf Resources Available in University Libraries GRMC

Hit the Links in the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection

With classes winding down and summer fast approaching, the University Libraries’ Atlas Collection and Geospatial Resources & Map Collection are great destinations for golfers anxious to hit the links.

Golfers can research courses across the country using the USA Today Golf Atlas in the Atlas Collection. The Street Map Atlases of Manatee and Sarasota County, Florida also include maps showing the locations of golf courses in the area. The Pennsylvania State Road Atlas also features a guide to golf courses throughout the state.

Golfers traveling abroad this summer can find the location of golf courses in France with the Golfs de France map from the Geospatial Resources & Map Collection. The MapArt Map of Toronto and Area includes information about golf courses located near this Canadian city, and the Windsor City Plan also details the locations of courses. Guide to Southwest Ireland map in the GRMC also shows where golfers traveling to Ireland can play.

The GRMC includes maps of various cities and counties with information about local golf courses throughout Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, Minnesota, California, New Jersey, Tennessee, and New Hampshire. Golf vacations are popular in Florida, and the GRMC includes a large collection of maps with golf courses located in various cities and counties throughout the state.

Travelers to popular golf destinations like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina can find golf guide maps in the GRMC. There are also golf guide maps available in the GRMC for Atlantic City, Los Angeles, the Sandhills area of North Carolina, and locally the Eagle Creek Park and Nature Preserve in Indianapolis.

Maps can be checked out from the GRMC for two weeks or longer, and atlases check out for four weeks.

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