Interactive digital finding aids to complex map sets

Most finding tools, including library tools, are based on searching by name - names of titles, authors, subjects and keywords. Complex map sets are not described or found using these elements, rather they are identified and found based first on their location. Our interactive digital finding aids make the task of pinpointing a single map out of thousands of pieces a relatively simple matter. The finding aids work for both our paper and digital map collections, which levels the playing field between formats and makes them equally findable. The old method is to have a single record in the catalog stating that we own a map set, sometimes indicating that we own a certain number of sheets or even that we own sheets x, y & z. By creating precise rectangles on a world map indicating exact Earth areas covered by each individual sheet, the scholar can zoom in to their area of interest and easily see which sheet number is of interest to them and whether or not MSU Libraries owns it. For digital sets, the scholar may then click on the rectangle and download the file. In addition, preparing the necessary extremely detailed metadata for this project makes possible participation in other collaborative projects in the scholarly community (such as the Geojson Open Indexmaps project at Stanford and the BTAA Geoportal Project). We are unaware of any other library creating such powerful and useful finding aids across wide-ranging map collections.

This project improves discovery of collections, not just a little but by a lot. Scholars needing detailed maps of a specific place are separated from discovering and accessing appropriate items by traditional library finding aids that are not suited to the task. A bibliographic catalog record is incapable of telling patrons the exact land area covered by each sheet in a large map set. Scholars are able to pinpoint their area of interest easily using our interactive graphical indexes which improves discovery.