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Collection Policy Statement Index

Contents

I. Introduction
II. Scope
III. Research strengths
IV. Comparison with other major research centers
V. Policy
VI. Collection levels for Cartography

I. Introduction

This Collections Policy Statement deals with maps¹ or cartographic materials as a format rather than as a subject. For the purposes of this statement, cartographic materials include spatial data presented graphically in the form of maps, atlases, globes, charts (aeronautical and hydrographic), three-dimensional models, aerial photography, remote sensing images and printed digital cartographic data.

For treatment of cartography as a subject, see Geography and Cartography. For digital forms of geographic information systems, remote sensing imagery and other electronic cartographic media, see Digital Geographic Data and Information.

II. Scope

The core materials covered by this statement fall into the category of traditional hard- copy cartographic works. They comprise the cartographic collections, Classes G1000-G9980, housed in the Geography and Map Division. Cartographic works also often complement or supplement textual works and may appear in all of the Library's other format or subject areas. Recommendation, selection decisions, and custodial responsibilities for cartographic materials, regardless of their form, format, or content, reside in the Geography and Map Division.

III. Research Strengths

The Library has assembled a broadly inclusive and unparalleled collection of cartographic materials in traditional formats. In general terms the strength of the Library's cartographic collection is the comprehensiveness of its global and temporal coverage of planimetric, topographic, hydrographic, and thematic spatial data. In geographic terms the collection is worldwide in Scope (including lunar, planetary and celestial works) with unmatched strength in coverage of the United States, North America and the Western Hemisphere. From the historical perspective the collection documents the history of cartographic innovation and production from the fifteenth century to the present.

While non-western traditional mapping and examples of early western cartography are represented, cartographic material produced according to the generally accepted conventions of modern cartographic practice, now followed throughout the world, dominates the Library's collections. The strength of the Library's holdings is in printed rather than manuscript materials. The manuscript maps and charts of the Age of Discovery and Exploration are housed largely in European libraries and archives.² Large-scale local cartographic products, such as cadastral surveys, are maintained at the local municipal and county level, and in general are not collected by the Library. Likewise, infrastructure documents, such as maps of telephone and gas lines, are maintained by utility companies and not represented in the Library's collections. Security restrictions may limit access to large-scale cartographic materials of potential military and strategic value.

IV. Comparison with collections of other major research centers

Many U.S. research institutions collect cartographic materials on a broad international basis, but in general, their collections focus on current products which are frequently at smaller scales than those acquired and retained by the Library. They often develop strength in specific geographic areas which normally reflect their own region and location and they may not permanently retain historical or superseded editions of cartographic materials. What distinguishes the Library is that it collects at the international, national, and local levels more comprehensively and at larger scales and maintains a more complete historical record than other U.S. research libraries and institutions, and for that matter, other foreign collections.

Major public and academic map collections are housed at Harvard, the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; the University of Illinois, Urbana; the University of California, Santa Barbara; Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge; the University of Florida, Gainesville; the New York Public Library; and the Detroit Public Library. Important collections of historical cartography are found at the Bancroft Library; the Newberry Library; the William L. Clements Library; the University of Texas, Arlington (Cartographic History Library); the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (James Ford Bell Library); the University of Indiana, Bloomington (Lilly Library); Yale University; the University of Southern Maine, Portland (Osher Map Library), and the Huntington Library.³

At the U.S. Federal level, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has the responsibility of maintaining the definitive collection of non-current Federal cartographic records. Although there is some overlap in the cartographic holdings of the NARA and the Library, manuscript materials related to Federally-produced cartographic documents and the large collection of aerial photography produced under Federal auspices, which are held by NARA, are not reflected in the Library's holdings. Large collections of current cartographic products are also maintained by U.S. Government intelligence and scientific agencies such as the Defense Mapping Agency, Department of State, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and U.S. Geological Survey. The Library is recognized within the Federal Government as the exclusive repository of historical non-Federal cartography in printed format.

V. Policy

1. General
   
   The Library acquires cartographic materials on a world-wide basis without regard to time period, language, geographic area, size (as opposed to scale, cf. Section V.B.1 below), or format of the material. The objective is to achieve comprehensive cartography coverage of all geographic regions throughout the world by means of acquiring, to the extent practicable, all editions, revisions, or reproductions of cartographic materials which make a significant contribution to knowledge. "Comprehensive" in the context of this statement is interpreted to encompass complete geographic coverage of all parts of the world (terrestrial as well as celestial), rather than the acquisition of all cartographic products. Partial geographic coverage or representative coverage of a particular country or region is unsatisfactory, and for cartographic material to function as a primary resource for documenting the environmental, cultural, and political aspects of spatial change over time, it is often important to collect all editions of maps and map series which have been selected for permanent retention.
   
   The Library actively collects both current and retrospective cartographic materials, but the majority of its time and resources is directed toward the acquisition of current products. Emphasis is given to acquiring the official cartographic publications of U.S. Federal, state, and local mapping agencies and the national mapping agencies of other countries. Although the intention is always to collect on a worldwide basis, the retrospective focus is primarily on the United States and landmark items that document the history of cartography. The Library relies on all the deposit, exchange, purchase, gift, and transfer sources.⁴ In general terms the Library collects cartographic materials that:
   • broaden and enhance worldwide geographic and thematic coverage
   • build upon the strength of existing collections
   • provide more detailed or larger scale geographic coverage
   • fill identified gaps in existing collections and map series
   • upgrade the condition and quality of the cartographic collections (duplicate material may be acquired with the intention of improving the condition of existing collections).
   • document the work of distinguished cartographers and map publishers, particularly U.S. (this includes the acquisition of complementary papers, correspondence, and business records)
   • document and illustrate historical events
   • illustrate the purely aesthetic value of cartographic products; in particular, cartographic forms which are distinguished by illustrative or decorative motifs, special typography or other unique features that embellish or enhance the cartographic work
   • illustrate the technical process of map making, including the variety of printing techniques employed in the publishing of cartographic materials
   • document and illustrate developments in thematic cartography
   • document non-Western/non-European cartographic traditions
2. Limiting factors in acquisition decisions
   
   The following factors influence and affect the Library's access to and decision making with regard to acquisition and retention of cartographic materials:
   1. Scale: Map scale has implications for space needs and is a significant factor in acquisition and retention decisions regarding map series. In general the Library does not acquire map series on a national basis at scales larger than 1:20,000. Exceptions are made for those nations whose primary national topographic series is at a larger scale and for selected regional and urban areas.
   2. National security classification restrictions: Since cartographic products have military and strategic value, maps and map series at large scales and of strategic areas may be security-classified and not available to the Library. Provisions may be made for the acquisition of this material when the national security classification is removed.
3. Cartographic formats and resources⁵
   1. Atlases (G1000-G3122): The atlas format comprises world, national regional, urban, thematic, facsimile, and historical publications which the Library endeavors to collect on a comprehensive (level 5) basis. Because of their bound format, atlases have had a better survival rate than separate sheet maps and are important sources for documenting the history of cartography and the cartographic process. Emphasis is presently placed on acquiring items that build on the Library's strengths in general world, national, and thematic atlases, as well as atlases of countries and urban areas of the United States.
   2. Globes (G3160-G3182): The aim is to acquire a representative selection of globes which illustrate the history of globe production. Emphasis is given to collecting and preserving items representing the history of globe production in the United States.
   3. Maps (G3190-G9980): Single-sheet maps and series maps form the nucleus of the Library's cartographic collections and have traditionally served as a primary reference resource. For selected single-sheet maps or map series at least one copy of all editions may be collected. The Library also attempts to collect completely and comprehensively map series at selected scales.
   4. Nautical charts (not in Class G): The Library collects comprehensively the printed relief models in all media. Emphasis is given to acquiring models produced by all U.S., as well as, all international and national hydrographic agencies.
   5. Raised Relief Models: The Library collects representative examples of raised relief models in all media. Emphasis is given to acquiring models produced by U.S. Federal agencies and commercial publishers.
   6. Photocopies and Microforms: To enhance the preservation of existing collections and in cases where the original format is not available, the Library may acquire microform, photocopy, facsimile, or other forms of reproduction. Frequently these materials provide access to important items and collections residing in international libraries and archives.
   7. Aerial photographs and remote sensing images: Aerial photographs and remote sensing images in hardcopy are acquired very selectively to provide coverage of areas that have not been adequately mapped, and to document developments in these methods of monitoring the earth's surface. For further discussion of remote sensing imagery in a digital format see Digital Geographic Data and Information.
   8. Printed/plotted digital cartographic data: To document the evolution of emerging electronic technologies, the Library collects representative examples of cartographic material produced in hard copy using electronic processes.
   9. Published textual materials: Published ancillary textual works dealing with the cartographic process, bibliographies of cartographic material, and the history of cartography are collected comprehensively and are addressed in Geography and Cartography.
   10. Primary source material: The Library identifies and selectively collects primary source material by and about cartographers and map publishers who have made significant contributions to the history of cartography.

VI. Collection levels for Cartography (Class G1000-G9980)

For all parts of the world the effort is to acquire coverage at the research level.

Notes:

1. J.B. Harley and David Woodward in The History of Cartography, Volume One, Cartography in Prehistoric, Ancient and Medieval Europe and the Mediterranean (Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1987) define maps as "graphic representations that facilitate a spatial understanding of things, concepts, conditions, processes, or events in the human world."

2. A strength of the Library's holdings is its collection of photocopies and microforms of key historical maps from foreign libraries and archives.

3. See: Guide to U.S. Map Resources, 2nd Edition, compiled by David A. Cobb (Chicago; American Library Association, 1990) for more specific details about the geographic areas, subject strengths, and special collections held by these and other institutions.

4. The Library relies heavily on the acquisitions support provided by the Foreign Map Procurement Program of the U.S. Department of State for the acquisition of foreign-produced cartographic materials.

5. A file of current retention policies and decisions is maintained in the Geography and Map Division.

October, 1995; Revised May, 2000