Perkins Map Collection

Location of collection

Bostock Lower Level 1 (L1, or basement)

Finding the right map

Catalog: Most of the maps that you'll use are in the library catalog (can use the Advanced Search and limit the format to Map).

Browse collection: If you know the call number system you can also find things by browsing (see the boxes to right on browsing maps and on types of maps).

Citations for maps

Cartographic citations : a style guide / by Suzanne M. Clark. Book located in Map Collection Reference area, GA 108.7 .C55 1992.

More citation guides and examples. From Kent State University Libraries.

Get the bibliographic information (title, author, publisher, date) to include in your citation from the record in the library catalog.

Browsing paper maps by call number

Call number parts include:

"class" (geographic area)
sometimes an alphanumeric subject code, or a code for a sub-area or a city
date (usually the date being depicted, except for "historical" maps with an .S subject code, in which case the date is the publication date)
a code for "author" (usually the publisher) or title
sometimes a reprint date if the map is a facsimile

Class: Begins with "G" and then a 4-digit numeral

Ends in 0 : general purpose maps, often topographic maps
Ends in 1 : subject map; will include a subject code in call number
Ends in 2 : region within larger geographic area
Ends in 3 : administrative area within a larger geographic area
Ends in 4 : city

Examples useful for the Gothic Cathedrals Class:

Place	Call number range
Europe (the entire continent) Great Britain (the entire island) England France Netherlands Belgium Switzerland Germany Austria Spain Italy	G5700 – G5702 5740 – 5742 5750 – 5754 5830 – 5834 6000 – 6004 6010 – 6014 6040 – 6044 6080 – 6082+, cities at 6299 6490 – 6494 6560 – 6594 6710 – 6714

Browsing Special Types of Maps

City Plans

For a given country, the main class portion of the call number (1st line) typically ends in the numeral "4," then alphabetical by city
Facsimiles of old maps: We have many facsimile reprints, mostly from the Historic Urban Plans company. Go to the listing in library catalog and use "search within results."

Topographic Maps

Usually come in sets, with the class portion of the call number typically ending in the numeral "0"
Symbols may denote quarries, forests, archaeological sites, "ruins," etc.
Show human culture (towns, some structures, modern roadways)
Show rivers and streams
Contour lines indicate elevation (labeled with number) and slope (spacing of lines: closer together is steeper)

Special Subjects

The main class portion of the call number (1st line) typically ends in the numeral "1"
An alphanumeric code, usually on the 2nd line of the call number, indicates the primary subject of the map
Examples:

Subject:	Alphanumeric code begins:
Geology Vegetation Mines and Mineral Resources Soils Forests History	.C5 .D2 .H .J3 .K .S

Geologic Maps

They have the subject code .C5
For hard building stone, you need a map of bedrock geology; some geologic maps show "surficial" or "Quaternary" geology (recent sediments, which may include clay)
May indicate types of rocks
There may be appropriate maps or sets of maps covering all of Europe, not just a single country
Most have legends to describe the geology, which can be confusing and often focus on the age of the rock and local names. Here's a simple and fairly generic legend.
Detailed standards for symbols on geologic maps