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Unique Issues in Map Cataloguing
Limited Browsability
Maps are generally large in size and are relatively fragile, which is why maps
are commonly stored in large flat cases. This type of storage, however, creates
a closed stack environment with limited
browsing capability making bibliographic description even more important
(Tenner, 1998, 182).
Unique Features
Maps contains features not found in other formats. These features include scale,
symbols, and use of colour, all of which must be captured in the bibliographic
record. Cataloguing
of maps is
therefore more difficult and time-consuming as maps combine the characteristics
of
monographs
and graphical material (Tenner, 1998, 181-182).
Various formats
Differentiating between map serials/sets, multisheet single maps and maps in
multiple editions is difficult. In a map series, each sheet has its own border
whereas a multisheet single
map's border is only complete when the sheets are assembled. In a map
series, each sheet has a collective title and a sheet title; and in a multisheet
single map, each sheet may have a main title, with individual sheets numbered
or entitled "North", "South", etc. Multisheet
single maps are intended to be used together, and cannot be used independently
(Larsgaard, 1987, 155). Determination of format is important as it affects
the call number, physical description, notes, and possibly, added entries (Ohanley, http://www.slais.ubc.ca/people/students/student-projects/S_Ohanley/...).
Nebulous Concept of Authorship
There are many opinions on how to define the author of a map. Some cataloguers
have considered the author and publisher to be separate entities, whereas others
have grouped them together into one category. Older cataloguing standards stated
that cartographers are the authors of their maps, but his rule was deleted
in the 1988 revision of AACR2. Cartographers are not always named on the map
and maps may only display the publisher or government agency responsible for
creating the map. The cartographer's name, publisher's name and government
agency are now considered valid access points yet changing rules on the concept
of authorship throughout the years has resulted in inconsistent bibliographic
records of maps (Tenner, 1998, 182).
Judging the Area of the Map
The most difficult part in the creation of map subject headings is judging
the area covered by the map. Geographical areas are not always as clearly divided
as political jurisdictions. Maps may include many geographical areas and
it is
up to the
discretion of the cataloguer which areas should receive subject
headings. Tim Ross, Reference and Map Librarian at the University of British
Columbia, suggests that when more than one area is depicted on a map, the level
of cataloguing should go up a level. For instance, if two areas within British
Columbia are shown, the subject heading should be the name of the region, if
one is applicable, or "British Columbia", if no regional area name can be applied
(Ross, Interview with authors, 2005). Neighbouring areas may also be mentioned
in the title or notes section of the
bibliographic
record
(Tenner,
1998, 184).
More than one Map on a Sheet
A cataloguer may provide distinct bibliographic records with relevant subject
headings and classification numbers to each map. A note should indicate that
more than one map is printed on a sheet in the notes section of the bibliographic
record (Larsgaard, 1987, 158).
Geographic Name Changes
Cataloguers assign subject headings that pertain to the latest name of a
political jurisdiction regardless of when the map was made. The new subject
heading "Hong Kong (China)" was created when Hong Kong reverted
back to Chinese jurisdiction. The old subject heading "Hong Kong" is
no longer an accurate subject heading but may
be used as an added entry point. Patrons and reference librarians must be aware
that in order to retrieve all of the maps concerning a particular
place, they must search for both current and older jurisdiction names (Tenner,
1998,
184).
Complexity of Map Dates
The date of publication is the printing date which may not be the same as the
date of situation. The date of situation is the date of the information displayed
on the map. A map can also have many dates of situation for various types of
information such as date of field check and date of survey. For reference purposes,
the date of situation is usually the most important, whereas cataloguing rules
emphasize the publication date. To complicate matters, some maps may also lack
any publication date information (Tenner, 1998, 183).
"Unique Issues in Map Cataloguing" Bibliography
Larsgaard, Mary Lynette. Map Librarianship: An Introduction. Second Edition. 1987. Littleton, Colorado, Libraries Unlimited, Inc.
Ohanley, Suanne. "A Brief History of Map Cataloguing". In Providing
Access to Cartographic Materials. 2001. Accessed March 16, 2005. <http://www.slais.ubc.ca/people/students/student-projects/S_Ohanley/...>
Ross, Tim. Interview
with authors, March 21, 2005.
Tenner, Elka and Katherine Weimar. "Reference Service for Maps: Access and
the Catalog Record". Reference & User Services Quarterly 38,
no. 2 (1998): 181-186.
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