Dear Chris
Maps are too important (e.g. for historians, lawyers, art historians and
even literature experts) to be left to the geographers alone. In an age
when the new generation of scholars - thanks to TV and computers - are
more familiar with the graphic image than with the printed word (of
which many have difficulties of reading more than a few pages,
preferring computer-generated selections), perhaps it is the printed
books that should be at risk! But, more seriously, universities should
not allow geography departments the sole decision over the fate of map
libraries.
Peter
Peter Barber MA, FSA, FRHistS
Head of Map Collections
Map Library
British Library
96 Euston Road
London NW1 2DB
tel.(020) 7412 7701
fax (020) 7412 7780
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for issues related to map & spatial data librarianship
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of West C.M.
Sent: 21 September 2006 15:50
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Swansea University Map Library
Dear Bob
You don't give your e-mail address, so apologies for having to reply to
the
whole list.
I'm afraid that you don't appear to have read my first paragraph in my
mail
message.
The map library at Swansea has always been part of and run by our
Geography
Dept (now the School of the Environment and Society) and has been
entirely
separate from the University Library. It is the School's decision to
disperse most of the map library, not mine.
Thanks
Chris
-----Original Message-----
From: A forum for issues related to map & spatial data librarianship
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Robert Parry
Sent: 21 September 2006 15:14
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Swansea University Map Library
So another once-fine map library is being demolished!
1. Why do Swansea's librarians assume that maps are only of use to
Geography?
2. Is it surprising that if few maps have been added to the collection
since the 1980s, few people are using the collection?
3. If librarians had the same attitude to books that they appear to have
towards maps, would there not be plenty of space in the library for the
map
collection?
Bob Parry
PS Yes, I am not overlooking the fact that cartography has gone digital.
What is Swansea doing to provide users with digital mapping and
expertise?
On Sep 11 2006, West C.M. wrote:
>Dear Colleagues
>
> Our School of the Environment and Society has had a map library for
> several decades. This has always been separately run from the
University
> Library and hasn't formed part of our library stock or our library
> catalogue.
>
>Due to considerable changes in research and teaching in Geography over
the
>last twenty years, the map library is by now very under-used and the
School
>wishes to dispose of most of it.
>
> The map library is quite large, comprising of 33 wooden map cabinets
> (arranged in six foot or four foot high units) containing a wide
variety
> of paper maps. Most of these date from the nineteen-sixties and
> seventies, with a few much earlier (nineteen-twenties and thirties).
The
> collection has had few additions since the mid-eighties so is probably
of
> more interest to historical geographers and related disciplines. The
maps
> range from an extensive set of UK OS maps to a wide variety of maps
> (political, physical, geological, town plans) from all over the world:
> from Aden (as was) to Zambia.
>
> The School is retaining a small amount of the map library (one or two
map
> cabinets) made up of maps relating to Wales. It is also likely that
> colleagues in other Schools will want to retain some of the Welsh and
UK
> material. Unfortunately, we also don't have the space in the main
library
> to retain much of the map library.
>
> As a non-specialist in this area, I'd be very grateful for any advice
on
> two areas:
>
> 1. Would anywhere be interested in the map library? I suspect that the
> School would want a modest payment for it but would also be glad to
see
> most of it ending up in another academic institution. I have a paper
copy
> which lists most of the collection which I could send to anyone who
may
> be interested.
>
>2. Alternatively, any advice on dealers who may be interested in the
map
>library (and the handsome wooden map cabinets) would also be very
helpful.
>
>With best wishes
>
>Christopher West
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> Christopher West
>>
>> Director of Library & Information Services
>> Cyfarwyddwr Gwasanaethau Llyfrgell & Gwybodaeth
>>
>> University of Wales Swansea
>> Prifysgol Cymru Abertawe
>>
>> Swansea SA2 8PP
>> Abertawe SA2 8PP
>>
>>
>> Tel/Ffon: 01792-295174
>>
>> Fax/Ffacs: 01792-295851
>>
>>
>>
>
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