Where do I find maps?

All maps, atlases and digital map data held by the University of Queensland Library are listed in the catalogue. Maps are available in several formats including:

• Printed sheets or atlases
• Digital data either on electronic databases or via the Internet

You will find maps in the

• Dorothy Hill Physical Sciences and Engineering Library
• Social Sciences and Humanities Library
• Architecture and Music Library
• Fryer Library
• Biological Sciences Library
• Gatton Library

What does the map scale mean?

Maps are available in different scales. The scale on a map is the relationship between the distance on the map and the distance on the ground. This relationship is usually expressed as a fraction e.g. 1/10 000 or a ratio e.g.1:10 000. This fraction or ratio indicates 1 unit on the map represents 10 000 of the same unit on the ground.

The unit of measurement may be centimetres or inches. The first number in the scale is always 1, but the second number is different for each scale.

Some of the commonly used scales are:

• 1:63 360 - which is 1 inch to 1 mile
• 1:250 000 - which is 1 centimetre to 2.5 kilometre
• 1:10 000 - which is 1 centimetre to 1 kilometre

Which scale is best?

When deciding on which scale is best for your needs, remember, "bigger is smaller." The bigger the second number the smaller the scale of the map. More ground is represented on the map, and therefore there is less detail on the map. Conversely, the smaller the second number, the bigger the scale, and more detail can be included on the map.

Many areas have been mapped at different scales so you can select the map scale most appropriate to your needs.

How do I find a map or atlas in the Library Catalogue?

To find a map on a particular subject or area use the following search option on the catalogue:

• Use the Keyword search option
• Include the word maps in your search
  • e.g. geolog* maps Australia

To find a map on a particular subject or area and limited to a particular time of publication use the following search options:

• Use the Keyword search option
• Type your search words e.g. Australia discovery maps
• An 'and' operator is automatically inserted between your search terms
• Select to refine your search
• In Year fill in the after date or the before date
  • eg After 1750 or Before 1850
• Click on Submit to apply the modifications

To find a map with a particular scale use the following search options:

• Use the Keyword search option
• Include the scale in the search option
  • e.g. geolog* Australia maps 1 000 000

What if I still can't find the map I want?

Library Catalogue

Many maps belong to large national or international sets consisting of many sheets. To find these on the library catalogue you need to make your search geographically broad.

For example use

• Brisbane rather than Toowong
• Queensland rather than North Queensland
• Australia rather than Queensland

Most map sets have an index sheet, which accompanies the maps. This index sheet will help you to locate individual maps.

Maps may accompany books and journals. Large maps are often folded and kept in a pocket within books and journals. The library catalogue record will include the note:

• Maps in back pocket - to describe maps with books
• Maps accompany some issues - to describe maps shelved with periodicals
• If searching for an Australian topographic map try a place name search to locate the individual map sheet number.

Databases

Maps can be located using printed or electronic indexes. Choose a database which covers your topic, for example try Georef for information in geology and the geosciences:

• Check if the database allows searching/limiting by format
• Use map or maps as a search term
• Check the library catalogue to see if the library holds maps located as a result of database searches
• Ask the Librarian at the Information Desk for assistance.

Where in the world is…..?

If you have the name of a city, river, or mountain and want to know where it is situated you need to use a gazetteer. A gazetteer is a list of names of places and features with their locations. To find a gazetteer on the library catalogue:

• Use a Keyword search
• Use gazetteer* as a word

Try these:

• The Columbia gazetteer of the world
  SS&H Quarto G103.5 .C645 1998
• Chambers world gazetteer: an A-Z of geographical information
  SS&H Ref / Phys Sci & Engin
  G103.5 .C47 1988
• Geoscience Australia - Place Name Search
• Place Names in the Northern Territory
• Search Antarctic Names
• US Geographic Names Information System
• World Gazetteer

Internet resources

The Internet provides access to many map catalogues and full images of maps. Try some of the following sites:

• Brisbane City Council Online Mapping Service eBIMAP
• Geoscience Australia - Online mapping
• Geoscience Australia - Topographic mapping
• Bodleian Map Room
• Google Earth
• Library of Congress. Geography and Map Reading Room
• National Library of Australia
• Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection
• Queensland Government. Natural Resources and Mines. Interactive Resource and Tenure Maps
• USGS Geographic Names Information System
• Whereis Street Atlas

Digital data

There are a number of specialised packages of digital map data. Some of these packages enable you to create your own maps.