Using The Map Collections
General Information
The 270,000-sheet map collection is located on the mezzanine
inside the Branner Library in the Mitchell Building. All maps in the
Branner Library Map Collections are shelved by call number in the
map cases and
file cabinets. The exception are large-scale U.S. Geological Survey topographic
maps which are arranged alphabetically within each state. Lists
of
map call numbers, arranged
by country, state, or province are posted in several places around the
mezzanine.
Call numbers for specific maps can be found by searching in the Stanford
University Libraries' catalog:
The main collection is a self-serve, open-stack collection. In addition
to those in the map collection, many maps are cataloged as part of the
book collection or appear within monographs and journals.
The collection includes maps on a wide range of social science and humanities
topics; there is a strong collection of geological, seismological, hydrological,
natural hazards, and natural resources maps. Many, but by no means all,
of these maps are listed on SearchWorks.
All circulating maps may be borrowed for 28 days by undergraduates and
for a quarter by graduate students and faculty. Items are subject to recall
after the initial seven days if needed by another borrower or immediately
when needed for course reserve. Items not needed by another borrower may
be renewed. Check the Branner Earth
Sciences Library pages for information on reference and photocopying
policy.
The Map Collections are open during all hours the Branner Library is
open; call 650-725-1103 or email
for other information.
Map Collection Contacts:
The entire staff at Branner Library is knowledgable and friendly, and can
get you started on your map collection search.
Topographic Maps
Topographic maps are those at a relatively large (that is, detailed)
scale on which elevations are measured by contours (lines connecting points
of equal elevation). They typically also show a wealth of physical and
cultural detail. The Branner collection of topographic maps of the entire
Earth will support most study topics, but its most complete coverage in
area and scales is for the United States.
- The United States Geological Survey (USGS) Topographic Map
of the United States 7 1/2 minute quadrangle series:
- Scale is 1:24,000 (1 in. = 2000 ft.; 1 cm = .24 km)-- the largest
scale USGS topographic map produced today
- Shelved by state and quadrangle name in alphabetical order
- Collection includes the most recent sheet of every U.S. quadrangle
and
- All editions of California and Nevada quadrangles
- Most sheets cover 7.5 minutes of latitude by 7.5 minutes of longitude
- Other USGS Topographic Map Sets of the United States:
- 1:1,000,000 scale topographic series (Smallest scale; 1 in. =
16 miles; 1 cm = 10 km)
- 1:250,000 scale series (Intermediate scale; 1 in. = 4 miles; 1
cm = 2.5 km)
- 1:100,000 scale series (1 in. = 1.3 miles; 1 cm = 1 km)
- 1:62,500 (15 minute) quadrangle series (1 in. = 1 mile) Discontinued
by USGS in 1988, popular with users, and a useful scale
- 1:125,000 (30 minute) quadrangle series (1 in. = 2 miles). Branner
Library retains copies of this old, discontinued series for Arizona,
California, Nevada and Oregon
- 1:250,000 (1 degree) quadrangle series (1 in. = 4 miles). Branner
Library retains copies of this old, discontinued series for Arizona,
California, Nevada and Oregon
- Foreign Topographic Maps
- Include the entire Earth's topography at 1:1,000,000 (16 miles
= 1 in. or 1 cm. = 10 km) by Operational Navigation Charts and the
International Map of the World
- Many countries by intermediate 1:500,000 Tactical Pilotage Charts
and 1:250,000 Joint Operations Graphics as well as other series
- A number of early 20th century sets for European countries
- Some African and Latin American countries at larger scales (1:50,000-1:100,000)
Subject and Special Purpose Maps
A special strength of this map collection is in
geosciences. Geoscience maps are most commonly produced by government agencies
(California Division of Mines and Geology, USGS, etc.) and distributed in
series, just like scientific journals. Geologic maps of special interest
to the local Stanford community, with call numbers:
Some other topics actively collected are history, population and demographics,
biology, and natural resources. The large scale topographic map sets (1:50,000)
often include boundaries of municipal units and show vegetation coverage.
Many old road maps and town plans are included in the collection, as
are reproductions of 16th-19th century maps and views of the world's significant
cities.
Classroom Wall Maps
Most classroom wall maps are located in the Stanford
Auxiliary Library (SAL). They are available to faculty and instructional
staff at SAL's circulation desk. Most of these maps are
listed in the index to the main Collection
of Classroom Wall Maps. All others are listed separately in SearchWorks,
as are the geoscience wall maps in the Branner Library. To find them,
search under the subject Classroom Wall Maps + Area Name.
Electronic Maps
Branner Library has many electronic map resources available, including
some which are self-sufficient and do not require special viewing software
include. To locate them in SearchWorks enter as a subject the area name (and
subject, e.g., geology, if appropriate) plus the word "maps" (or "aerial
photographs," "remote-sensing maps," or "remote-sensing images," as appropriate),
and in the keyword box enter "CD-ROM."
For example:
- SUBJECT: CALIFORNIA MAPS
- KEYWORD: CD-ROM
- SUBJECT: GEOLOGY UNITED STATES MAPS
- KEYWORD: CD-ROM
Searching for Maps in SearchWorks: Stanford's Web-based Catalog
One may search the MAPS only file in SearchWorks,
when using the "combined search" option. Do this when you seek a
particular map which you are certain about. However, if you do not
have a specific map title in mind, and you are not certain of what
mapping exists for your subject and area, it is wiser to search
SearchWorks without changing to a maps-only search. Many excellent
maps are folded into book pockets. Additional maps are listed in
the card catalog on the Branner Mezzanine. It's in two major sections:
one for geoscience maps, and the other for all other maps. The part
for geoscience maps is arranged by area and subdivided by title.
The part for non-geoscience maps has separate sections for area/subject
and title. Although many of the maps in the card catalog are also
in SearchWorks, approximately one-half are not.
Subject searches for Maps
Broad subject searches work well for finding maps in searching SearchWorks.
The broadest subject search is: ("Find Subject placename maps") and some
examples are:
- SUBJECT PALO ALTO CALIF MAPS
- SUBJECT SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA MAPS
- SUBJECT CALIFORNIA MAPS
- SUBJECT PATAGONIA MAPS
- SUBJECT HIMALAYA? MAPS
If these searches retrieve too many records, modify the search by adding
"and" with another subject term, for example:
- "AND" TOPOGRAPHIC
- "AND" NEPAL
- "AND" STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY
Title searches for Maps
If you know the exact title of a map you seek, check the "Exact" option.
If you are sure of some title words but not the entire exact title phrase,
title words (with truncation) can be used in any order:
TITLE: geolog? nevada esmeralda county map?
Sometimes the title and subject of a sought map are so broad, large
results in SearchWorks are seemingly impossible to avoid. Please call the
map collection at 725-1103 or contact branner@pangea.stanford.edu for
some other searching ideas.
Call Number searches for Maps
SearchWorks allows searching by Call Number using the "Call No. Browse"
option. Our map collection is arranged by a geographic call numbering
system, so this is an excellent way to browse our holdings. Examples
of effective searches:
Use the Map Call Number Guide
to find your geographic or country numbers to search.
Call Numbers for maps: a brief explanation:
The first 4 numbers after the G define the place or major subject area.
If the four numbers end with a zero, the map is likely a general "base"
map. Subject area number ending in "1" are special topic maps (the topic
is defined by the letter/number combination following the four numbers).
A Subject area number ending in "2," "3," or "4" define maps of regional
coverage; the letter/numbers after the first period define the region
e.g. "G4362.S22..." stands for San Francisco Bay maps in our collection.
The third element in call numbers is a date (for monographic maps) or
a scale code (for series or set maps). Last comes an "item identifier"
for the map's principal author or organization. These somewhat arcane
call numbers are effective in finding catalog records.
Other illustrative examples:
| G4360 1992.A4 |
General map of California made in 1992 |
| G4361 .C2 1955.R3 |
Topical map, geomorphology, of California |
| G4362 .S22 1873.U5 |
General map of San Francisco Bay region made in 1873 |
| G4362 .S22C55 S250.A8 |
Set of maps at 1:250,000 scale, of SF Bay region seismology: C55=structural
geology |
| G4363 .A3J1 1990.C3 |
Agriculture map of Alameda County, Calif. : 4363.A3=Alameda Co.,
J1=Agriculture) |
Stanford cooperates with the University of California Map Collections
in coordinated collection development and improved interlibrary borrowing.
The plan description can be found at
UC/Stanford Cooperative Map Collection Agreement.
The University of California campus map collections all have different
strengths than ours. The catalog to search for their maps is:
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homepage
Public document.
Compiler: J.K. Herro, revised by Phil Hoehn. Maintained by Julie Sweetkind-Singer
Last modified:
March 22, 2007
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