The Map & Atlas Collection’s services and more heavily used collections are located on the second floor of the Koerner Library. Less frequently used materials are now located in an off-campus storage facility. For reference service, or to place a request for cartographic materials in storage, please visit the Reference Desk on the second floor of Koerner Library, phone 604-822-2725, or contact the Map Librarian, Tim Ross, phone 604-822-6191; tim.ross@ubc.ca.
Map Reference Services
Most areas of the Map & Atlas Collection are “open access”, i.e. you are free to browse for materials on your own, or to ask for staff assistance. Our staff can help you to find materials, work with the catalogues, interpret maps, locate places, and find other specialized sources.
Map and Atlas Collection Contents
Less frequently used materials are kept in a closed storage facility. Items in storage can be requested at the Reference Desk on level 2 of the Koerner Library. Within the Map & Atlas Collection, atlases are kept in two sections: “regular-sized” Atlases and Oversized Atlases. Maps are kept in five sections: Topographic Map Series; Hydrographic (nautical) Charts; Newer Flat Thematic Maps; Older Flat Thematic Maps; and Folded Thematic Maps.
- Topographic Map Series include maps at various scales for most countries of the world.
- The Hydrographic Charts section holds Canadian charts, plus selected coverage for most parts of the world.
- Thematic Maps illustrate subjects such as geology, soils, forestry, land use, economic development, zoning, history and demography.
How to Find Materials
Atlases are listed in the online UBC Library catalogue. Search the catalogue for the call number of the atlas you want, and note whether it is listed as an Atlas or Oversize.
Maps and map series which are more frequently used are listed in the online UBC Library catalogue. Search the catalogue to get a map’s call number, noting whether its format is listed as Topographic, Thematic or Folded.
Older and less used maps are listed in the Map & Atlas Collection’s card catalogue. There are two access files within the card catalogue: Area – Subject and Subject – Area. Search either file to obtain a map’s call number.
Access and Loans
The Map & Atlas Collection is “open access”, i.e. you are free to browse for materials on your own, or to ask for staff assistance. Materials are for Library Use Only. Exceptions may be made.
Online Map Resources
For a list of links to map resources on the internet, see our Online Map Resources page.
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