Dear Chris,
Bristol too are getting rid of their maps. Here the Geography Dept. always
ran the Map Library - nothing to do with the library. They too have lost
interest and added nothing for several years, so they are getting rid of
all but sheet maps of local interest. And most of the atlases.
I wouldn't be surprised if in due course I find myself sending a message
very similar to your original one to the group. If you do find any way of
disposing usefully of your dept's maps I'd be interested to know.
Yours
Sheena Carter
--On 21 September 2006 15:49 +0100 "West C.M." <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> 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
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
----------------------
Sheena M. Carter
Faculty Librarian (Arts)
Subject Librarian for Historical Studies & Geographical Sciences
University of Bristol
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