Michigan State University Libraries

Collections

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The Map Library houses a collection of general and thematic maps and atlases for every area of the world. The collection consists of approximately 207,000 sheet maps and 4,000 atlases, gazetteers and other reference aids including wall maps, globes, CDs and Internet-accessible resources.
The collection is especially strong in Michigan, United States, Canada, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, though all areas are collected at some level.

Specialized collections include 19th-21st century Michigan county atlases and plat books; a small Braille map and atlas collection of U.S. states and continents; and Michigan Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

The sheet map collection includes maps from the 17th to 21st centuries. A major portion of the sheet map collection consists of United States Geological Survey and U.S. Department of Defense products received through government depository programs. Many foreign topographic maps series are also collected, acquired by purchase and through Library of Congress map exchange programs. Other maps include foreign and domestic city and road maps, and maps from magazine subscriptions such as Petroleum Economist and National Geographic. Most supplementary maps from books in the Main Library are also housed in the Map Library. 

Sheet Map Collection:
This list contains some of our larger topographic map sets for regions and countries of the world, with approximate measures of set completeness. This list is by no means comprehensive or authoritative. We own some sheets to many other sets, and inventories have not yet been conducted for Central and South America. Contact the Map Library for more accurate holdings information.

Name of Series Description of Holding

USGS 1:24,000 (7.5') topographic maps

 Nearly complete coverage of all 50 states. Older editions retained.

USGS 1:62,500 & 1:63,360 (15') topographic maps

Significant percentage of published sheets. Older editions retained.

USGS 1:1,000,000 (30' x 60') topographic maps Complete coverage, both planimetric and Bureau of Land Management editions. Older editions retained.

USGS 1:250,000 (1 deg x 2 deg)

Complete coverage. Older editions retained.

Major international sets:

Name of Series Description of Holding

Operational Navigation Charts

 Complete coverage of the entire world. One edition per chart is retained.

Jet Navigation Charts

Complete coverage of the entire world. One edition per chart is retained

Tactical Pilotage Charts

Complete coverage of the entire world. One edition per chart is retained

Nautical Charts

Complete coverage of the entire world. One edition per chart is retained.

North America:

Name of Series Description of Holding

Canada 1:250,000

Nearly complete coverage. Older editions retained.

Canada 1:50,000

Approximately 50% coverage, largely southern Canada. Older editions retained.

Mexico 1:250,000

Complete Coverage

Africa (largely U.S. Army Map Service (AMS) with some locally published sets):

Name of Series Description of Holding

North Africa 1:500,000

Complete set

North Africa 1:250,000

Approximately 50% coverage

North Africa 1:200,000

Partial coverage

East Africa 1:500,000

Partial coverage

East Africa 1:50,000

Partial coverage

Southern Africa 1:250,000

50 sheets

West Africa 1:250,000

100 sheets

West Africa 1:200,000

75 sheets

Morocco 1:200,000

Good coverage

Algeria 1:500,000

300 sheets

Libya 1:100,000

76 sheets

Egypt 1:100,000

83 sheets

Cote d'Ivoire 1:50,000

23 sheets

Nigeria 1:100,000

109 sheets

Nigeria 1:50,000

156 sheets

Zimbabwe 1:250,000

50 sheets

South Africa 1:250,000

Complete set

South Africa 1:50,000

451 sheets

Namibia 1:50,000

148 sheets

Swaziland 1:50,000

31 sheets

Madagascar 1:500,000

70 sheets


Asia

Name of Series Description of Holding

Asia 1:1,000,000

Partial coverage

East Central Asia 1:250,000

Approximately 75% coverage

Southern Asia 1:2,000,000

28 sheets

Middle East 1:253,440

171 sheets

Turkey 1:200,000

70 sheets

Afganistan 1:200,000

95 sheets

Afganistan 1:253,440

52 sheets

India 1:250,000

270 sheets

India 1:126,720

100 sheets

Myanmar 1:250,000

40 sheets

Ceylon 1:63,360

72 sheets

Malaysia 1:63,360

20 sheets

Singapore 1:12,500

4 sheets

Thailand 1:50,000

Possibly full set

Indonesia 1:1,000,000

27 sheets, approximately 50% coverage

Borneo 1:250,000

Approximately 33% coverage

China 1:500,000

Approximately 75% coverage

China 1:250,000

Approximately 98% complete coverage

Manchuria 1:250,000

226 sheets

Taiwan 1:50,000

105 sheets

Korea 1:250,000

162 sheets

Korea 1:50,000

345 sheets

South Korea 1:25,000

148 sheets

South Korea 1:10,000

59 sheets

Japan 1:50,000

800 sheets

Japan 1:25,000

800 sheets

Caucuses 1:253,440

40 sheets

Siberia 1:250,000

238 sheets


South America Major Sets Coming Soon

Computer Resources: 

In addition to sheet maps and atlases, the Map Library has several maps and mapping programs on computers and on compact disc. Two MSU Full Set of Application computers are speciallly loaded with ArcGIS 9.1 in addition to the usual list of software programs .   These computers can print to black and white lettersize, color lettersize, and a plotter.  Printing costs are the same as in other computer labs.

The Map Library web site offers printable outline maps, some scanned images and some GIS data sets. The Map Librarian may be able to assist with locating GIS data sets.

Other computer hardware include DVD, CD-RW, a 11" x 17" scanner, and a Zip drive that can accomodate 100MB or 250MB disks.  These items are available with staff mediation. 

Access:

All books in the Map Library are fully cataloged and can be located through the Libraries' Online Catalog.

Sheet maps are arranged by geographic area and subject. Since 1994 about 10% of the sheet map collection has been cataloged in the online catalog.  Catalog searches may be limited to just the Map Library Collection.

USGS topographic maps of the 7.5' (1:24,000), 15' (1:62,500), and 30' x 60' (1:100,000) are arranged alphabetically by state and then by sheet name.  The 1 x 2 (1:250,000) series is filed alphabetically across the United States.

Generally, all other maps and map series are arranged by geographic area, using the AGS (American Geographical Society) classification system. The sheet maps are grouped by regions of the world and further divided by subject so each country has its own classification number. Please ask for assistance when visiting the Map Library.


Contact Us:

Maps Library
Michigan State University
100 Library W308
East Lansing, MI 48824
(517) 432-6123 ext. 249
Page Editor: Kathleen Weessies | Updated: August 14, 2007

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