Map & Geospatial Reference Resources

Citing Maps

Online guides to citing Maps (print and electronic):

• Citing Maps from North Carolina State University Library
• Dodsworth, E. H. (2018). A research guide to cartographic resources : print and electronic sources. Rowman & Littlefield. (Print and electronic)
• Kollen, C., Shawa, W., & Larsgaard, M. L. (2010). Cartographic citations : a style guide (2nd ed.). Map and Geography Round Table, American Library Association. (Print only)
• University of Ottawa – “Cartographic Citations” (Comprehensive printable guide produced by the map library. Last updated in 2008)
• Woods, Alberta. (2012). ACMLA Recommended Best Practices in Citation of Cartographic Materials. Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives, Bibliographic Control Committee
• Cartographic Citation Style Guide, PennState University Libraries

Index Maps

• AMS and GSGS Maps – A collection of scanned Index maps to the Army Map Service map series and GSGS (Great Britain. War Office. General Staff Geographical Section) map series from UC Berkeley [no longer maintained].
• UC Berkeley International Indexes (pdf) includes airphotos, world and United States map series held at UC Berkeley. (Link is broken)
• PennState University Libraries, Digital Map Drawer. Use the term “Index” or “Index Maps” to see a list of digital index maps.

Map Symbols

Links to sites with information about symbols used on a variety of maps produced by U.S. government agencies:

• Topographic Map Symbols (pdf) – symbols used on U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps.
• GLO Historic Plat Map Symbology & Legend – Courtesy of Minnesota State GIO. Provides examples of different features found on Plat Maps.
• FAA Aeronautical Chart User’s Guide – Symbols used on VFR, IAP and IFR Charts from the Federal Aviation Agency.
• U.S. Chart No. 1 – symbols on U.S. Nautical Charts from NOAA (13th edition, 2019).

Place Names

• U.S. Board of Geographic Names (BGN) – Downloadable domestic, foreign, Antarctic, and undersea names. List of web applications associated with geographic names and The National Map Web Tools
• USGS – Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) – GNIS contains information about the official names of geographic features. You can search for names using the Domestic Names Search Tool or download GNIS Data for all 50 states
• Geographic Names Server (GNS) and webapp is the office repository of standard spelling of all foreign geographic names, sanctioned by the BGN.

Grant Writing

Resources developed for the Grant Writing Workshop offered October 25, 2007 at the WAML Meeting in Denver:

• Web Site (Link not active – links to dead WAML website)
• Grant Writing for Libraries: A Selective Bibliography (pdf)
• ALA – Grant Writing Applications

Helpful Online Guides, Lists and resources

• Location Guide to the General Land Office (GLO) Survey Plats – list of organizations with GLO survey plats compiled by Tom Huber of the Illinois State Library (1999).
• Online Atlases from U.S. Government Agencies – Western Illinois University
• Historic Atlas and Map Valuation and Conservation – Guide to valuing antique maps and atlases by Julie Sweetkind-Singer. (link broken)