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Maps and Atlases

Getting Started

To accomodate renovation of the D. H. Hill Library East Wing, most of the Map Collection has been moved (as of March 1, 2006) to the Satellite Shelving Facility on Sullivan Drive. Call the Reference Desk at 515-2935 to check the status.

USGS topographical maps for the state of North Carolina, in the 7.5 minute series, are being moved to the Microforms Room on the 2nd floor of D. H. Hill Library. All other maps are being moved to the Satellite Shelving Facility ( http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/satelliteshelving/).  Maps can be delivered from Satellite to the  library location of your choice within 24 hours.  By appointment, users affiliated with NCSU may also visit the Satellite Shelving Facility on Sullivan Drive and view maps in the reading room.  To make an appointment with Satellite staff, call 513-7190 or send email to:  satellite@ncsu.edu.  If you aren't sure which specific map will suit your purpose, check with a reference librarian or call 513-2614.  Only sheet maps are being relocated; atlases are not being moved to Satellite and can be located in the NCSU Libraries by using the library's online catalog ( http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/catalog/).

These groups are represented within the Map Collection :

• Library of Congress (LC) classification number. Maps shelved by LC call numbers include all geographic regions
• Superintendent of Documents (sudoc) classification number. Maps with sudoc call numbers include all geographic regions
• Topographic maps.  The library owns 1:24,000 maps for North Carolina and surrounding states, as well as some smaller scale topographic maps covering regions of the United States.
• North Carolina maps.  These include transportation maps, census tract maps, historic topographic maps, and more.  See instructions at the map case for arrangement.
• NOAA nautical charts covering coastal areas of the United States, and small craft nautical charts.
• World maps produced by the Defence Mapping Agency (DMA), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), and the newly created National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
• World maps produced by the National Geographic Society.
• Small format world maps produced by the CIA.
• Thematic maps of the USGS from investigations series including coal, minerals, water, and more.

For maps not shelved by classification number (LC or sudoc) you may need to consult instructions at the map case location for shelving arrangements.  In some cases, there is an "index map" in the first drawer for a series, providing the shelving arrangement. In other cases the maps are filed alphabetically, or by a report number that must be obtained from a published index.

Some maps acquired before 1998 may not be listed in the library's online catalog, so if you do not find what you need, ask a librarian for help.  Some maps, especially some produced by government agencies, may be shelved in the U.S. Documents stacks rather than in the Maps Collection.

Using the library catalog

A good way to get started is to try a keyword search using place names and limit your search by format to "maps."  Remember: not all maps acquired before 1998 are listed in the library's catalog, so ask at the Reference Desk if you need help.

Using indexes and databases

There are many indexes and databases available to help you identify published maps.  In some cases, these indexes provide report numbers that are used to shelve the maps.  When you have consulted these general indexes or databases, you may need to ask a librarian to help you determine if the library owns the map you are looking for.

Using atlases

Finding maps in atlases is an option if the library does not own an individual map for the area you need.

Services

• Checking out maps -- Maps are circulating items, except for topographic maps of North Carolina. Maps must first be retrieved from Satellite Shelving (as of March 1, 2006).
• Photocopying -- There is a large format black and white photocopier available.  Ask for assistance in the Photocopy Services area.
• Getting help -- Ask for help at the D. H. Hill Library Reference Desk, call the Reference Desk at 515-2935, or email "Ask A Librarian" at libref@ncsu.edu.

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