Maps & Geospatial Resources - Trent University Library

A Guide to the Trent Library Map Collection

Scope of the Collection:

Trent Library's Map Collection is made up of different types of geographical tools including:

Air photos
Atlases
Cartobibliographies
Gazetteers
Geospatial Data
Software
Stereoscopes and Light Tables
Technical Manuals
Thematic maps
Topographic maps
Travel maps
Wall maps

The collection covers mainly Canadian material, but other countries are well represented.

We are a Full Depository for maps issued by Communication Canada's Map and Chart Depository Program. Under this Program we receive digital and paper copy of topographic maps of all of Canada at all published scales, maps published by the Geological Survey of Canada, as well as a variety of theme maps.

Hours of Service:

HOURS OF PUBLIC ACCESS: see Library hours as posted
HOURS OF REFERENCE SERVICE: Monday-Friday, 8:30 - 4:30

Circulation:

With the exception of some special collections, maps may be borrowed for one week. Fines are levied on overdue maps and lost map tubes as stipulated in Trent University Library's Circulation Borrower Regulations. All items are to be signed out at and returned to the Circulation Desk at the main entrance to the Library.

How to locate Map Section Materials:

Most Map Collection materials can be accessed through Trent University Library’s web catalogue, TOPCAT.

Map Section materials may be searched by Author, Title, or Subject in TOPCAT. The "Power Search" option in TOPCAT is highly recommended. Keyword searching is also recommended for use with Map Section materials.

Following are some tips for keyword searching Map Collection materials:

Include "map" as part of your search strategy: e.g. "Peterborough” and “map?" Since all map records use "map" in their catalogue description, this designator will limit a search to retrieve only records that include words beginning with “map.”
Begin with the smallest geographic region possible for your search: e.g. "Ontario" will result in many more hits than "Peterborough," but they will be on a wide range of subjects. If you have 0 hits, then broaden to the next largest geographic region (i.e. start with "'Bowmanville," then try "Newcastle," then try "Durham," only then try "Ontario", etc.).

Sample Map record found in TOPCAT – BRIEF DISPLAY:

  G 3401 .C5 SV.S. .C34 2020A

  Deglaciation of Bathurst Island group, Nunavut [map]

  Bednarski, J. M.

Title	Deglaciation of Bathurst Island group, Nunavut [map] / geology by J.M. Bednarski, 1995-1997.
Personal Author	Bednarski, J. M.
Publication info	Ottawa : Geological Survey of Canada, 2003.
Physical descrip	1 map : col. ; 90 x 93 cm. on sheet 122 x 196 cm.
General Note	NTS coverage: 68G, 68H, 69A, 69B, 79A, 78H&E.
Subject term	Glacial epoch--Nunavut--Bathurst Island--Maps.
Subject term	Ice sheets--Nunavut--Bathurst Island--Maps.
Added author	Geological Survey of Canada.

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
G 3401 .C5 SV.S. .C34 2020A	1	Theme-Map	Maps

When looking at the map's record in TOPCAT, be sure to write down the complete call number and material type (which will tell you where the item is located).

Maps are filed in special cabinets by material type, followed by call number and , where applicable, further by index sheet number.

The material type will tell you where in the Map Section the map is located. For example, the material codes "Atlas", "theme map", "topo map", "base map", "travel map" and "wall map" all correspond to specific collections within the Map Section. If you look around the section you will see that there are large signs posted which tell you where each of these collections is located.

The call no. will tell you where in the collection the item you are looking for is. Remember, the majority of the items in our collection have call numbers beginning with the letter "G". In some cases, the “G” has been assumed, and does not actually appear on the maps.

Example:

TOPCAT		CALL NUMBER on MAP
G 3401 .C5 SV.S. .C34 2020A		3401 .C5 SV.S. .C34 2020A

The shelf location will tell you where the item is shelved if the item requires special shelving arrangements. For example, if an item is rare or brittle, we store it in the workroom ([Wkrm]). A text which accompanies a map will be found on shelves rather than in the map cases ([Acc]). As well, there is the Peterborough Map Collection ([PMC]) which is stored in the workroom and does not circulate. It is important to write this down, because you will only be able to access maps marked [PMC] and [Wkrm] during hours of service.

Finally, when looking for information in our collection, do not forget the Vertical File materials. These include 8 1/2" x 11" copyable maps, articles, bulletins, and pamphlets, of interest to geography. The Vertical File is organized alphabetically by location. For example, a file marked "Ontario" will contain information on provincial parks, tours, mines and minerals, trails, turtles, forests, canoe routes, etc. in Ontario. Again, begin your search with the most specific location and broaden it if necessary.

Examples of Location Entries in TOPCAT:

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
G 3401 .C5 SV.S. .C34 2020A	1	theme-map	Maps

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
FC 35 .C66 1997 [REF]	1	reference	Maps

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
G 1116 .S1 H39 2002 MAPS [REF]	1	atlas	Maps

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
G 3464 .P48P2 2003 .P4 [PMC]	1	theme-map	Maps

BATA Library	Copies	Material	Location
G 6711 .P2 2000 .A3	1	travel-map	Maps

Additional Cartographic Materials of Interest:

Aerial Photography: We collect photos published by the National Air Photo Library and by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Our collection strengths are of the local Peterborough-Kawartha area, as well as of select areas where Trent University conducts research and field trips. Use the Index sheets, located with the Air Photo Collection, to identify the flight line and photograph numbers. The collection is organized by federal / provincial jurisdiction and within jurisdiction by flight line and photo number order.
Digital Resources: The Map Collection serves as a repository for geospatial data on campus. The Map Section home page, offers further information about our collection, instructions regarding the availability and ordering procedures for geospatial data, as well as links to cartographic sites.

Please visit our web site at: http://www.trentu.ca/library/maps/

See also related links at: http://www.trentu.ca/library/govpubs/ and http://www.trentu.ca/library/data/

Commonly-Used Terminology:

Aerial Photography: Photographs normally taken from an aircraft. Viewed through a stereoscope, pairs of consecutive photographs can be used to obtain a 3-D view of the landscape.

Thematic Maps: Maps that are not topographic are referred to under the collective term "thematic". Thematic maps exist on a wide variety of themes, and are published by governments, colleges and universities, commercial map publishers, and industry. Examples of themes include census maps, climate maps, land use maps, nautical charts.

Topographic Maps: Topographic maps are used to study surface features of land. These maps provide exact geographic location of features such as water, relief, culture, vegetation etc., by latitude, longitude and height or elevation above sea level.

Ontario Base Maps: OBMs have traditionally been black and white maps that display topographic information at larger scales. They show excellent detail, including spot elevations, human culture features such as subdivisions, etc. Recently, coloured versions of OBMs have been produced.