As map librarian in a large public library, I would be horrified at the
prospect of having the c. 50,000 sheet maps in our closed stack area
available on open access. I am sure that the collection would soon
degenerate into disorder and disintegration. We have c. 2,500 of the most
heavily used maps on open access (including O.S. Landranger and Explorer
and facsimiles or photocopies of a range of local maps maps); theft has not
been a major problem (except for street atlases), but the drawers need
regular checking, and any substantial increase in the open access
collection would lead to this being done less frequently. We have probably
reached a reasonable balance between staff time in serving from the stack
area and staff time managing the open access maps.
There is of course the problem of readers looking no further than the open
access maps. Looking back to my own undergraduate days I did not even
suspect the existence of many of the maps in the geography department, and,
like many of my fellow students, didn't use the catalogue or ask. Later, as
a postgraduate with access to browse the collection, I was amazed by some
of the things I discovered; controlled semi-open access does have its
advantages.
Richard Abbott
Local Studies and History
Central Library
Chamberlain Square
Birmingham
B3 3HQ
tel 0121 303 4549
fax 0121 464 0993
e-mail [log in to unmask]
"Williams, Paula" <[log in to unmask]>@JISCMAIL.AC.UK> on 06/06/2006
11:53:45
Please respond to A forum for issues related to map & spatial data
librarianship <[log in to unmask]>
Sent by: A forum for issues related to map & spatial data librarianship
<[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
cc:
Subject: Re: Open access for maps
I think that the main problem with open access is that it assumed that the
readers/students/clients know which map they are looking for and can simply
go to it and look, in the same way they might with books. In my experience
however the reader rarely knows which exact map they are wanting, only
recognising that a map may be the best way to get the information they
need. Specialist staff are then required to interpret their request,
explain which scale may best meet their needs and further to explain what
is possible and/or available. Often the reader then also needs help to get
the information they want from the map itself. Without that help they will
probably give up their search and the collection will not be as well used
as it could be, becoming the exclusive domain of the (very) few individuals
who have an understanding of the materials. In several University libraries
the integration of the map collection into the main library and subsequent
open access has lead to the ultimate demise of the map collection due to
under-use and damage.
I should say that I've never worked with an open access map collection,
except in public libraries, where the maps, particularly OS Landrangers,
were as popular to steal as Haynes workshop manuals, and had to be replaced
regularly. I'm not saying that open access absolutely can not be made to
work, but that in the long term, contrary to first impressions, it may not
lead to the most efficient use of the materials. You would need to ensure
that knowledgeable staff were easily available to help. The situation with
copying (particularly if there are self-service copiers near by) would have
to be closely monitored, and the copyright issues clearly signed. Further,
there would need to be full catalogue records available, with multiple
access points, to allow readers to find the maps at all.
Sorry to be negative, particularly after Francis and Huw's remarks too. I'd
love to hear some more positive views on this if anyone has got them ...
Good luck!
Paula
Paula Williams
Assistant map curator
National Library of Scotland
(0131) 623 3978
>-----Original Message-----
>From: D.Harrison [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>Sent: 06 June 2006 08:27
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Open access for maps
>
>Hi everyone!
>
>We will be closing our Map Library in around 12 month's time and
>relocating the collection to our Main Library.
>
>We are considering having the collection on open access.
>
>I'm aware that there are a couple of libraries that already run their
>collections in this way and I'd like to get in contact to see how we
>can ensure a smooth running service.
>
>If you've tried it and found it didn't work, I'd also like to hear from
>you.
>
>Best wishes
>Denise Harrison
>
>
>
>
>
>*********************************************************
>
>Denise Harrison
>Academic Liaison Librarian
>Main Library
>University of Sheffield Tel: 0114 222 7270
>Sheffield S10 2TN Fax: 0114 222 7290
>
>
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