Map Collection

What is the Map Collection?

The University of Adelaide library does not actively collect sheet maps. This function has always been left to a separately-run Map Library located in the Department of Geographical & Environmental Studies. However, due to a shortage of space in the Geographical & Environmental Studies Department Map Library, the University of Adelaide Library has agreed to describe & house a significant proportion of its collection (mostly Europe, Africa and the Americas). The collection now housed by the library comprises more than 5000 sheets in over 1300 titles.
This document describes the process whereby registered users of the University library can access this collection.

Where is the collection housed?

The sheet maps are stored in the Joint Library Store facility, which is physically located at Flinders University.

How can the maps be accessed?

The maps in the Store collection are available for loan to honours and higher degree students as well as academic staff. Other Library users can recall the maps for use within the University of Adelaide Library.

Maps can be browsed in person at the Store by contacting Joint Library Store staff or can be made available within 1 working day at any branch of the University of Adelaide Library.

It is also important to note that the maps still held in the Geographical & Environmental Studies Department Map Library - which are mostly concerned with Australia and South-East Asia - are not listed on the catalogue. Enquiries regarding these maps should be directed to Map Library staff. These may be consulted by arrangement with the Map Curator Christine Crothers.

How can I identify what's in the collection?

All maps transferred from the Map Library have been added to the library catalogue. All map catalogue records include the addition of [cartographic material] after their title and at least one subject heading which includes the term Maps. All include the cartographer or cartographic agency and series. Many have special feature notes and most include scale and projection.

Catalogue records for sets of less than 20 sheets include a contents list of each sheet title. Sets larger than 20 have a digitised index sheet attached to the catalogue record by its web address to assist browsing for the required map(s) - see for example Belgium & N. E. France 1:100,000. For these records, click on the link to e-Resource button to go directly to the index sheet.

Searching using the Keywords index is a useful starting point. For example, to find sheet maps on Norway enter:

skey Maps and skey Norway

The search can be widened to include another country or region. For example:

skey Maps and (skey Norway or skey Sweden)

Hidden coded data relating to scale and specific features (such as contours, hachures, spot heights etc) can enable library staff to provide custom searches of the collection for research purposes if required.

Anther useful searching option is the Author index (if you know the name of the cartographer or organisation)

Please note that your search may reveal maps held at locations other than the Joint Store. For example, the library owns a modest collection of subject-related maps (such as historical maps), which are held in the Special Collections map cabinet. Enquiries about access to these maps should be directed to Special Collections staff.

Further information/queries?

Helen Attar is the Research Librarian for Geographical & Environmental Studies.

Last updated: 8 November 2007