Map Collection Users' Group

Minutes of meeting on Friday 25 February 2000

1. Attendance

Present: Richard Pennell - Chair (History), Chandra Jayasuriya (Geography), Francisco Escobar (Geomatics), Bernie Joyce (Earth Sciences), Nigel Flannigan (Archi & Planning), Brendan Whyte (Geography), Priscilla Stott (Collection Management), Susan Bray (Ed. Services & Archi), John Maidment (Architecture Librarian), Bess Secomb (Engineering Librarian), John Cain (Map Curator).
Apologies: Alan Mayne.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes were accepted.

3. Business Arising

3.1 Free Geology of Victoria CDs from GSV: Bernie to send details of these to John Cain so that copies can be acquired for the library. These CDs include a range of documents and there was some discussion as to how these can be catalogued with contents notes to assist users.
3.2 Digital Mapping Data seminar: There was some discussion of the possibility of running a seminar on the digital mapping holdings of the Map Section during a quiet time of the year. John Cain to look into this.

4. Map Section Annual Report 1999

John Cain tabled the report (2 pages) at the meeting. It summarizes activities of the Section during 1999, particularly the retrospective cataloguing project and the map digitization project. Any questions should be directed to John Cain. The report is available on the web at:
http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/maps/annual99.htm

5. Series Maps Retrospective Cataloguing Project

John Cain reported on the final outcome of this project. $15,000 was allocated by the Library, allowing 435 hours of original cataloguing of map series. Preparation work before cataloguing and item work after cataloguing was undertaken by Map Section staff. During the project a total of 599 originally catalogued records were created, and 218 further records copy catalogued. The project provides an access point via the catalogue to records covering about 80,000 maps and 10,000 aerial photos, comprising over 80% of all items in the Map Collection. Progress was a little faster than expected and the Walker Collection of maps of Asia Minor was also catalogued (135 maps, included in the above figures).

6. Equipment Bids 2000

John Cain reported that most of our bids for 2000 have been agreed to by the library. Details of equipment to be provided are: two bays of shelving for atlases (to store our rare atlases), two bays of regular book shelving (to relieve overcrowding in the closed access monographs), two elephant sized map cabinets (to relieve overcrowding in the rare map collection), two standard sized map cabinets (to relieve overcrowding in the M sequence), and a new high end computer including a 1200x1200dpi A4 scanner and CD burner, for use on digital mapping projects.

7. Additions to the Collection

Some of the more noteworthy recent arrivals in the collection include:

• Integrated Regional Database 1999 (IRDB99) - includes free upgrade to IRDB2000 when available. IRDB includes a broad range of statistical and map data from the ABS and other government sources, detailed down to local government area level.
• City of Melbourne map data - detailed 1:2000 scale hardcopy maps of the entire City of Melbourne, plus very detailed digital map data including properties, buildings, trees, kerblines, from the City of Melbourne.
• Australia 1:250 000 geological mapping - backfill to cover gaps in our holdings in South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania.
• PNG 1:250 000 & 1:100 000 topographic mapping - backfill to complete our holdings.
• Tactical Pilotage Charts (TPC) - backfill to complete our holdings worldwide.

8. Departmental Map Needs (standing item).

This item provides MCUG members with an opportunity to bring to inform the Map Section of any maps, geographic information or spatial information which may be required for future teaching or research. John will forward an email to MCUG members, for them to circulate to their departments, asking for requests for maps and data to support teaching and research.

9. Other Business

9.1 Guide to USGS Publications: John Cain noted that this commercially produced hardcopy volume costs $360 per year and asked if anyone would object if it was considered for cancellation, as this data is also available on the web. No objections.
9.2 Digital Map Data: John Cain noted that he plans to convene a meeting to look into the options for providing access to current digital mapping data via the network, and requested suggestions for names to attend. Mentioned were: Ray Wyatt, Francisco Escobar, Ian Bishop.

10. Online Digital Maps Demonstration.

Index Maps: Selected indexes to map series are being scanned, or recreated digitally, and mounted on the Web. These indexes are hyper-linked from the catalogue records on the Library catalogue (web version) providing users with additional information about map series. The indexes can also be accessed directly from the Map Section web site, with links to the record for the series from the index to the record on the Library catalogue.

Scanned Historical Maps: High resolution images of historical maps held in the collection are being made available on the web. These images are served using software (MrSID) that allows quick access at a range of resolutions from the entire image to small and detailed sections. ACTION: Could MCUG members please provide feedback on both to John Cain. With Index Maps I am looking for priorities as to which indexes should be digitized first. With Scanned Historical Maps I am looking for priorities as to which historical maps should be scanned?

11. Next meeting.

The next meeting will be on at 11:00 am on Friday 25 May 2000, in ERC Seminar Room 2.
 
 
John Cain,
28 February 2000. e:\maps\mcug\2000feb-mi.doc