Introduction to Map Cataloging

The Accidental Map Librarian Workshop

Naomi Heiser

Laura Wright

University of Colorado, Boulder

Map Library

Why catalog maps?

• maps are as important sources of information as other formats

• cataloging provides more access points than a geographic index, especially for maps covering more than one area

• users are more likely to request (and use resources) that are cataloged

• reduces wear (from browsing)

“In many collections a cartographic materials catalog does not exist, a situation that thrusts total dependence for retrieval upon the broad, but occasionally slumping, shoulders of the classification scheme and on the librarian’s memory, assuming that the latter is truly an elephant's child” (p.121, Map Librarianship)

So, how do you catalog a map?

• Use a cartographic workform/format (see resources at end of presentation for a workform template)

• According to Cartographic Materials: a manual of interpretation for AACR2 (2002 rev.)

• Refer to Map cataloging manual (Library of Congress), for excellent examples of rules applications

• Atlases and globes are also cataloged as cartographic materials

Major differences between Cartographic and Monographic

cataloging

• Chief source of information• Main entry• Scale, projection, coordinates (i.e, “mathematical

data”)• Unique notes• Geographic subjects / Call number construction

(for Library of Congress classification)

Chief Source of Information

• The chief source of information for other than a printed atlas (in order of preference) is:

A) the cartographic item itself; when an item is in a number of physical parts, treat all the parts (including a title sheet) as the cartographic item itself

B) container (e.g. portfolio, cover, envelope) or case

• If the information is not available from the chief source, take it from any accompanying printed material (e.g. pamphlets, brochures)

from Cartographic Materials

Choice of title• Sometimes it is difficult to decide what the main title of a map

is, since it can be located anywhere on the “chief source”, and at times is printed more than once, in more than one location, and with different wording (grr!).

• Here is the main rule:“Consider all of the titles occurring in the locations cited in the following table, giving precedence to the title that includes the most precise description of BOTH AREA AND SUBJECT”. If this is not possible, do same thing considering only AREA. If not possible, use table to choose preferential title.

• Globes and atlases have slightly different rules (see CM)

from Cartographic Materials

Main EntryOften not as clear as for monographs• May be a personal name (e.g. the cartographer)• May be a corporate name – but only if the corporate

body is responsible for more than just publication or distribution of the map (see AACR2 21.1B2, category f)

• May be title (no primary responsible author/entity)• Author added entries (both personal and corporate

names) are common

Mathematical data

The main components of the mathematical data portion of the catalog record:

• Scale

• Projection

• Coordinates

ScaleScale is given on maps in 3 basic formats:• Bar scale• Verbal scale• Representative fraction

For the purposes of cataloging, you need to determine (calculate) the representative fraction

• A representative fraction means: “this little on the map = this much on the earth’s surface”.

• For instance, 1:63,360 is one inch to 63,360 inches (or 1 inch = 1 mile)

Scale

4 methods for determining representative fraction

Preferred:1) Conversion from a graphic scale, using scale tool

or “Natural Scale Indicator” (see Resources page for ordering information), or using a ruler.

2) Conversion from a verbal scale (see Appendix B of CM).

3) Possible (if you feel like it):Determination from graticule (Appendix B of CM)

4) Not recommended (by Library of Congress):Comparing to a similar map

• Use “Scale not given” only if:

the only way to determine the scale is to compare the map with a map of known scale (and your policy is not to do so).

• Use “Scale indeterminable” only if:

there is truly no way to determine the scale using any of the methods we’ve described, including comparison method.

If there is no scale on the map

More than one scale given

• Sometimes there is more than one map on a sheet

• If there are two scales, you may make two scale statements, with the larger scale listed first

• If there are 3 or more scales, you may use “scales differ” as the scale description

Scale not consistent across map

• Sometimes the scale of a map changes across the face of the map (for instance, the scale is larger in the middle than along the edges)

• If this is significant, you make the statement: “scale varies”

• This does not apply to bird’s-eye views/perspective maps of towns since it is their normal state to have a varying scale.

In this case you state: “Not drawn to scale”

Projection

• A system used to represent the curved surface of the earth on a flat map.

• USGS information page about projections: http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/MapProjections/projections.html

• For the purposes of cataloging maps, record the projection if stated on the map or accompanying material (container, booklet, etc.)

• For example, “Transverse Mercator proj.”

Projection

Coordinates

• “Any of a set of numbers used in specifying the location of a point on a line, a surface, or in space.” (CM)

• Geographic coordinates are defined in terms of latitude and longitude:

Latitude is measured in reference to the Equator

Longitude is usually measured in reference to the Greenwich meridian

Latitude and Longitude

Coordinates in cataloging• Record coordinates if they are printed on the map.• Record coordinates in the following order:

Western extent, Eastern extent, Northern extent, Southern extent (WENS)

• Record using degrees, minutes, and seconds (if they are readily apparent)

• For example, a map of Boulder might have these coordinates: W 105°22'30" -- W 105°15'00"/N 40°07'30" -- N 40°00'00"

Unique Notes

• General order of notes, see the Map Cataloging Manual, chapter 3:

http://www.itsmarc.com/crs/map0852.htm• Nature and scope (Relief*, Date of situation,

Shows, etc.)• Source of title • Contents (such as Includes, Insets, On verso,

etc.)*If relief is shown on the map, this note (“Relief shown by…”) comes first

Geographic subject headings

• Maps always have a geographic component to the subject(s)

• Sometimes the geographic area is the only subject

• Sometimes the geographic area is a subdivision of a topical subject

Classification (Library of Congress)

• Geographic area

• Subject cutter

• Year (or scale)

• Main entry cutter

ex: G4311.P2 2007 $b .W7

would be a road map showing all of Colorado in 2007, drawn by me (Laura Wright)

Sample Records…

Best of Boulder, Colorado: 2006-2007

Boulder Sanborn maps (print and electronic versions)

Colorado circa 1880 (a reproduction)

• LANG engEnglish CAT DATE 08-03-2006 BCODE3 -• SKIP 4 CAT LEVEL oORIGINAL COUNTRY wyuWyoming• LOCATIONmap MAP LIBRARY ARL STATS dMAPS/GLOBES• MARC Leader #####nem 22#####Ia 4500• o 001 70825660• y 003 OCoLC• y 005 20060803015144.0• y 007 aj canzn• y 008 060803s2006 wyu a 1 eng d• y 034 0 a• y 040 COD|cCOD• y 043 n-us-co• y 049 COD$• y 052 4314|bB5• c 090 G4314.B5E635 2006|b.R42• y 090 G4314.B5E635 2006|b.R42• a 110 2 Resort Maps (Firm)• t 245 1 4 The best of Boulder, Colorado :|b2006-2007

/|cResortmaps.com• e 255 Not drawn to scale• p 260 [Cheyenne, Wyo.] :|bResort Maps Inc.,|cc2006• r 300 2 maps on 1 sheet :|bboth sides, col. ;|c29 x 62 cm.

and 45 x 33 cm., sheet 43 x 64 cm• n 500 Tourist maps with selected buildings shown

pictorially• n 500 Shows bus routes, bike lanes, and "things to do."• n 500 Includes indexed advertisements, 4 insets, and text• n 505 0 [Downtown Boulder] -- [Boulder]• d 651 0 Boulder (Colo.)|vMaps, Tourist• y 946 lw

• LANG engEnglish CAT DATE 08-16-2006 BCODE3 -• SKIP 0 CAT LEVEL oORIGINAL COUNTRY nyuNew York• LOCATION map MAP LIBRARY ARL STATS dMAPS/GLOBES• MARC Leader #####cem 22#####Ia 4500• o 001 62147869• y 003 OCoLC• y 005 20060816051217.0• y 007 aj canzn• y 008 051025s1886 nyu a 0 eng d• y 034 1 a|b600• y 040 COD|cCOD|dCOD• y 043 n-us-co• y 049 COD$• y 052 4314|bB5• c 090 G4314.B5G475 1886|b.S3• y 090 G4314.B5G475 1886|b.S3• a 110 2 Sanborn Map & Publishing Co• t 245 1 0 Boulder, Col. [insurance map] /|cSanborn Map & Publishing Co., Limited• u 246 3 3 Boulder, Colorado• e 255 Scale [ca. 1:600] 50 ft. to an inch• p 260 New York :|bSanborn Map & Publishing Co.,|c1886• r 300 1 map on 4 sheets :|bcol. ;|csheets 64 x 54 cm• n 500 Shows building construction by hand coloring, locations of windows and

doors, and available water facilities• n 500 Shows factories, commercial and religious occupancy of buildings,

dwellings with property boundaries and house and block numbers• n 500 "July 1886."• n 500 Microfilm edition known as: Sanborn fire insurance maps. Colorado• n 500 Includes notes on population, water facilities, fire department, and

prevailing winds• n 530 Black and white version also available on microfilm• n 520 Historic maps of neighborhoods, detailed at the block and building level,

showing residential, commercial, and industrial uses of sites, building footprints, potential environmental hazards, and construction details of structures

• n 590 Sanborn maps may be viewed by appointment only. They do not circulate, and may not be photocopied. Digital photos are permitted

• d 650 0 Insurance, Fire|zColorado|zBoulder|vMaps• d 651 0 Boulder (Colo.)|vMaps• u 730 0 Sanborn fire insurance maps.|pColorado• y 946 lw

• LANG engEnglish CAT DATE 10-08-2001 BCODE3 -• SKIP 0 CAT LEVEL mMEMBER COUNTRY nyuNew York• LOCATION map MAP LIBRARY ARL STATS dMAPS/GLOBES• MARC Leader #####nem 22#####Ia 4500• o 001 41362473• y 003 OCoLC• y 005 20011008151619.0• y 007 aj aafzn• y 008 990514r19uu1880nyud a 0 eng d• y 034 1 a|b1267200|dW1093600|eW1012400|fN0410000|gN0370000• y 040 CMI|cCMI• y 043 n-us-co• y 049 COD$• y 052 4310• c 090 G4310 1880|b.C6 19--• y 090 G4310 1880|b.C6 19--• t 245 1 0 Colorado circa 1880• e 255 Scale [ca. 1:1,267,200]|c(W 109°36ʹ--W 101°24ʹ/N 41°00ʹ--N

37°00ʹ)• p 260 Albany, N.Y. :|bJonathan Sheppard Books,|c[19--]• r 300 1 map :|bfacsimile ;|c38 x 56 cm., on sheet 46 x 62 cm• n 500 Relief shown by hachures• n 500 Caption title• n 534 |pOriginal version:|c[S.l. : s.n., 1880?]• n 500 Prime meridians: Greenwich and Washington• n 500 Shows ranges and townships• n 500 Facsimile reprint• n 500 Map within decorative border• n 520 Facsimile reprint of an 1880 [?] map of Colorado, showing

landforms, drainage, county boundaries, towns, railroads and other landmarks. Immediately adjacent portions of neighboring states

and territories are also shown• d 651 0 Colorado|vMaps• d 650 0 Railroads|zColorado|vMaps• b 710 2 Jonathan Sheppard Books• y 946 neh

Further readingLinks:  • Map Cataloging Manual (from Library of Congress):

http://www.itsmarc.com/crs/map0001.htm • OCLC Bibliographic Formats & Standards (MARC tags): http://

www.oclc.org/bibformats/default.htm • Geographic Area Codes (field 043): http://www.loc.gov/marc/geoareas/ • U.S. States Coordinates (on MAGERT site):

http://www.ala.org/ala/magert/publicationsab/usa.htm • Road Map Date Codes (on WAML site): http://www.waml.org/datecode.html • Map Librarian's Toolbox, Cataloging & Processing section. From the Western Association

of Map Libraries (WAML). • Gazetteers: GNIS (for U.S. place names) and GEONet

Names Server (for non-U.S. place names) 

Texts: • Cartographic Materials: a manual of interpretation for AACR2. 2nd ed. (edited by Elizabeth

U. Mangan.) American Library Association, 2003. (Available also via Cataloger’s Desktop)• Larsgaard, Mary Lynette. Map Librarianship: an introduction. Libraries Unlimited, 1998. (3rd

ed.) • Andrew, Paige G. Cataloging Sheet Maps: the basics. Haworth Information Press, 2003.

Map Workform TemplateMaps Workform (default = paper map, color)Type: e Elvl: I Srce: Relf: Ctrl:

Lang:BLvl: m SpFm: GPub: SpFm: Mrec:

Ctry:CrTp: Index: Proj: DtSt: s Dates: , Desc: a007    a ǂb j ǂd c ǂe a ǂf n ǂg z ǂh n 020    ______034 _  a ǂb ___ǂd ____ǂe _____ǂf _____ǂg _____043   _______________052   _______________090    _______________________________1XX _ _ _______________________________________.245 _ _ _______________________ : ǂb _________________ / ǂc ____________________.246 _ _ ________________________________________250   _________________________________________255   Scale ___________________ ; ǂb ___________________ proj. ǂc (______________________).260    _____________ : ǂb _______________, ǂc _____________.300    __ map : ǂb ___________ ; ǂc ___x____ cm.4XX _ _ _________________________ 5XX    _____________________________________.65X _ _ _______________________________ ǂv Maps.7XX _ _ ___________________________________8XX _ _ ___________________________________

Resources

Map Scale Indicators -- each USD $18.00 (as of 2006) -- postage and packing included

Order from:

Clifford H. Wood, PhDProfessor (Retired), Memorial UniversityP.O. Box 225Ilderton, OntarioCANADA N0M 2A0tel.: 519-666-3282net: cliffordwood_91@sympatico.ca

Resources

Degrees, Minutes, and Seconds symbols in OCLC:

• For degrees, use the “degree sign” (not superscript zero)

• For minutes, use “miagkii znak”

• For seconds, use “tverdyi znak”

Thanks to

• Susan Moore

• Mary Larsgaard

• Paige Andrew

• Christopher J.J. Thiry

• and The Cat in the Hat