The Map Library in the New Millennium

Citation

Walker, P. (2002), "The Map Library in the New Millennium", Library Review, Vol. 51 No. 1, pp. 45-59. https://doi.org/10.1108/lr.2002.51.1.45.3

In today’s technological world, the nature of map production and the distribution of spatial data to end‐users has changed dramatically. Map libraries, the traditional repositories of paper‐based maps, are increasingly under threat as more and more maps are stored and manipulated in electronic format. Even the transmission of digitised maps has become possible via the Internet. The impact of all these changes has brought new problems and pressures to the map librarian. Issues arising from the nature of digital data, claims on the ownership of such data, and issues concerning its use, have all had an impact on the map library. So much so that some people have come to view our map libraries as being ancient and essentially dead. Others, however, see a continuing but adaptive role for map librarians in providing control of the new data formats and guidance on their use, as well as acknowledging a continuing archival role in the printed map department.

The Map Library in the New Millennium aims to explore all these issues. It is basically an exploration of the role of the map library and librarian in view of all the recent developments and of the changing needs of the information user. The book is a collection of papers contributed by experts in the field of map librarianship and geographical information systems (GIS). Issues covered include: the changing profile of the map user; organisational change; new technologies in the map room; GIS; electronic map packages; the Internet and World Wide Web; metadata and standards; digital conservation and conversion; access to maps and spatial data; spatial data and intellectual property rights; the new mapping industry; and map dealing.

The book is not intended to be a prescriptive text on map librarianship. It is more of a discussion of themes which will affect all users of maps and spatial data. It is meant to raise awareness of these issues among a much wider readership. Whether it succeeds or not remains to be seen, but the editors seem to have done a good job. They are certainly qualified to do so, Bob Parry being Senior Research Fellow and Map Curator in the Department of Geography, at Reading University; Chris Perkins is Senior Lecturer in the School of Geography at Manchester University, as well as being Map Curator at the John Rylands Library, in the city.

As usual, LA Publishing have kept up to their usual high standards. The hardback has 288 pages, including a seven‐page index. It is well laid out and the 16 articles all include additional references. There is also a useful list of acronyms used in the text. All in all, a useful addition to books on this ever‐changing subject. The Map Library in the New Millennium will be invaluable to map librarians, GIS specialists, researchers and students of cartography and geography.