Where Are We Now? Development of the Online Guide to U.S. Map Collections

Abstract

The progression from print directories to an online database is a natural and clear direction for map collection discovery. Moving this information to a virtual environment that anybody can access and update has many benefits. However, the path to develop this online resource has been fraught with challenges that had to be overcome to bring this vision to reality and to create a sustainable and comprehensive guide that is relevant for many years to come. This article looks at the history of print directories for locating map collections and outlines the development and implementation of the Online Guide to U.S. Map Collections, as well as the ongoing work to expand the Online Guide and its potential to impact future initiatives.

Keywords:

• map libraries
• map collections
• geographic information librarianship
• bibliographic aids

Acknowledgements

As with every directory that has come before, the creation of the Online Guide to U.S. Map Collections has been the culmination of work from many committed individuals. Their dedication and vision have paved the way to making this project a success. The Online Guide is still growing, and a team of regional coordinators is working on making the guide as comprehensive as possible. Online Guide Task Force Members: Carol McAuliffe (2014–2020), Paige Andrew (2014–2020), Chris Kollen (2014–2020), Kathleen Weessies (2014–2015), Nicole Kong (2015–2020), Hallie Pritchett (2015–2018), Craig Haggit (2019–2020), Angie Lee (2020); Current Online Guide National Coordinator: Carol McAuliffe; Current Online Guide Regional Coordinators: Georgia Brown, Valerie Glenn, Craig Haggit, Chris Kollen, Sierra Laddusaw, Maggie Long, Kim Plassche, Janet Reyes, Melinda Sandkam, Cheyenne Stradinger, Katherine Strickland; Past Online Guide Regional Coordinators (2020–2022): Naomi Heiser, Donna Hamilton, Nancy Kandoian. The authors dedicate this article to Nancy Kandoian (February 15, 1952–May 16, 2022). Nancy, a map librarian at the New York Public Library for more than four decades, was a dedicated co-Regional Coordinator for Region 2 covering New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the two co-Regional Coordinators for this large area decided how to divide the work and efficiently tackle New York state, they laughed through technology mishaps and misunderstandings. Nancy was instrumental in the addition of several new collections to the Online Guide. She was eager to join virtual team meetings, even when she was away from her library. As many in the map librarian community have already shared on email lists and in private conversations, Nancy is deeply missed, but remembered through her contributions to the profession that will have a lasting impact.

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.