I would like to make some comments as a non-academic map collector, whose 
also currently a student and therefore has access to Digi-Map. Digi-Map is a 
useful resource and I have made use of it during the course of my studies to 
help me with my coursework. I am also aware that it is copyrighted to the 
OS, so there have been times where I have not used it for my coursework in 
order to have more freedom once my work is finished. With regards to 
collecting, perhaps I am unusual compared to other map collectors as I would 
buy paper flat maps. I have some in my collection, for example black outline 
OS maps from the 1960s and 1:250,000 maps from the 1970s. I don't own a 
light table to lay them out on but when circumstances permit I would like to 
get hold of such a table so that I can look at the maps more easily.

I would also buy maps in a tatty condition because they are cheaper to 
purchase than mint condition maps. I have purchased various maps from 
bookshops over the years in such conditions, including maps that have 
markings across them in link or coloured pencils. If anyone saw the first 
episode of series 2 of Map Man where Nick Crane cycled across the Lake 
District using a Bartholomew map. Well that is the sort of thing I enjoy 
doing, expect by foot. In order to fit the maps in my map case they have to 
be folded. I am not so keen to fold my mint condition maps and therefore 
find less than mint condition maps perfect for such trips.

I understand the usefulness of inter-library and inter-departmental 
disposals of maps. However if the maps are not suitable for disposals and 
their is no local school that could use them, someone should see if a 
non-academic would like them before they get recycled. May be this has 
happened at map fairs in the past. However I am never been to a map fair 
before, so I do not know. I have mostly tended to buy my maps, in a vairty 
of conditions, from second hand bookshops, charity shops, book fairs, 
collectors fairs and sometimes off eBay, although I find eBay gets to time 
consuming. Just my personal opinion.

Regards

Tim

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Oliver, Richard" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Cc: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, August 25, 2008 10:27 AM
Subject: RE: [ordnancemaps] Disposal of academic map collections


> [This is in reply to a posting on the Ordnancemaps group, but I suspect 
> that the matter is of equal interest to lis-maps]
>
> In the disposal of surplus maps, I know of no difference in practice 
> between university and 'other' libraries. Although it is true that there 
> have been some 'mishaps' over the past few years, there has also been a 
> great deal of care in the disposal of surplus University map collections, 
> as anyone will know who has been party to, e.g., the Oxford School of 
> Geography and University of Reading disposals (advertised via lis-maps). 
> The idea seems to have got abroad that digital-mad carto-illiterate 
> university managements are irresponsibly ditching precious map collections 
> built up over many years. My experience and views are somewhat different. 
> Whilst it is to be suspected that most university collections started 
> before about 1965 will have a few oddities, if not 'gems', most of the 
> holdings will probably be a mixture of standard topographic map series and 
> teaching sets. The standard topographic series will usually be replicated 
> elsewhere (a lot of universities now have access to historic OS 
> large-scale mapping via the EDINA service, a facility admittedly denied to 
> the tax-paying general public), and the teaching sets will be so much 
> waste paper, taking up valuable space: and 98% or more of these maps will 
> be paper flat, and practically unsaleable to map collectors, and, indeed, 
> difficult even to give away. (Let anyone party to sales and disposals at 
> Charles Close Society map fairs deny this!) The other 2% is likely to 
> consist of a 'loan' or 'fieldwork'; collection of standard folded OS maps, 
> often in such a tatty state that it would be an insult to offload them to 
> charity shops. (Incidentally, does anyone know if 'cloth mounted' post-war 
> OS mapping is suitable for paper recycling?)
>
> One of the problems has been that often the map curator has been disposed 
> of in advance of the map collection: another is that the map curator may 
> be simply unaware of anything out of the ordinary, as it is never asked 
> for, and the fact that it is actually out of the ordinary and worth 
> preserving is not publicised. (This applies equally to university and 
> other libraries.) The alternative is for some philanthropist to offer to 
> store all these redundant maps in an aircraft hanger somewhere, until such 
> time as the maps can be combed through for, presumably, the OS equivalent 
> of the Hereford Map!
>
> It seems that 100+ maps have been rescued in Manchester. What areas do 
> they cover? If of Manchester, it might just be possible to dispose of them 
> locally. A method that has been used with some university collections has 
> been to post a list, first-come-first-served, on condition that the new 
> owner takes responsibility for collection/carriage. How many maps thus 
> advertised have found homes other than a recycling skip, I wonder...
>
> Yours provokatively (but he hopes even-handedly),
>
> Richard Oliver
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: [log in to unmask] on behalf of noiseismusic
> Sent: Sat 8/23/2008 5:57 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [ordnancemaps] Map collection
>
>
>
> The impression I get is that when university departments, expect possibly
> libraries, no longer need their maps they often chuck them in the bin,
> instead of thinking isn't their some non-academic out there who would like
> such an item.
>
> Is that actually case or am I just getting the wrong impression from what
> I've read over time. I know map libraries off load duplicates to other map
> libraries but what do university departments do with their obsolete maps?
>
> Kind regards
>
> Tim
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "redkite11" <[log in to unmask] <mailto:redkite11%40yahoo.co.uk> 
>  >
> To: <[log in to unmask] 
> <mailto:ordnancemaps%40yahoogroups.co.uk> >
> Sent: Saturday, August 23, 2008 1:27 PM
> Subject: [ordnancemaps] Map collection
>
> I managed to salvage a large part of the University of Manchester
> Department of Planning & Landscape map collection from being thrown
> out - the future is digital. So I now have some 100+ maps that need a
> home or homes! Any suggestions as who to contact or the best way to
> do this.
>
> [I emailed this to [log in to unmask] 
> <mailto:ordnancemaps-subscribe%40yahoogroups.com>  earlier, so
> aplogies for any duplication]
>
>
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>