Map Collection Users' Group

Minutes of Meeting
Friday 1 June 2001

1. Attendance

Richard Pennell - Chair (History), Francisco Escobar (Geomatics), Bernie Joyce (Earth Sciences), Nigel Flannigan (Archi & Planning), Peta Humphreys (Melbourne Branches), Priscilla Stott (Collection Management), Lisa Sukkel (IAO), John Maidment (Archi Lib), John Cain (Map Curator).

2. Apologies

Tony Sagona (Classics and Archaeology), Brian Finlayson (Geography), Chandra Jayasuriya (Geography).

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes were accepted.

4. Business Arising

Fee-for-service - John Cain reported that Ray Wyatt (Geography) had raised some concerns about charging business users for access to maps. John clarified that users who visit the Map Collection in person can access maps at no charge. The fee-for-service charges only apply where users phone the Map Collection, have maps copied and posted out, and are then invoiced for this service.
Digitisation of Fire Insurance Plans - John reported that this proposal has not been supported from digitisation funds for 2001; in fact there was very little money available for digitisation at all. Richard Pennell asked whether it would be possible to put in a Research Support Funds request instead. John, Richard and Priscilla to discuss this possibility.

5. Progress of Map Collection 2001 Operational Plan

John Cain noted that due to the reorganization of the Information Division progress has been slow. However the security review is in process and tenders have been called for installation of motion sensors in the Map Stack area. Over 150 aerial photos of inner Melbourne, dated 1945, have now been digitised. A selection of attractive images of historical maps from the Map Collection is now available for downloading as computer desktop wallpapers. Access to both of these is from the Map Collection's digital mapping page: http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/maps/digital/

6. Additions to the Collection

Noteworthy recent arrivals include:

• Hardcopy 1:5000 aerial photos of inner Melbourne - 16 sheets, terms of supply currently being negotiated with QUASCO.
• .4m pixel digital georeferenced aerial photos of Melbourne Metro area - currently being negotiated with Photo Mapping Services.
• .15m pixel digital georeferenced and orthocorrected aerial photos of CBD and environs - currently being negotiated with Sinclair Knight Mertz.
• Vicmap Digital - some additional datasets (hydrography, Vicmap Image, Vicmap Bondaries) currently being negotiated with Land Victoria.

7. Departmental Map Needs (standing item)

Any requests for maps or spatial data can be emailed to John Cain at any time.

8. Other Business

Brochure: Bernie Joyce noted that the Map Collection brochure seemed to be a bit out of date. John responded that the brochure Bernie had was not the latest version. In any case none of the latest version were left and it too required some changes. Therefore a new brochure will be prepared and printed in the next month or so, during the mid-year break.
Walker Collection: Richard asked about upgrading the Walker Collection online interface. John noted that the person who designed the database has moved to other duties under the new Information Division structure and may no longer be available to upgrade the interface. However John would discuss with Richard ways of better meeting his requirements.

9. Next meeting

The next meeting will be at 11:00 am on Friday 2 November 2001 in the Map Collection.

(The meeting was followed by a tour of the Map Collection highlighting some selected historical map resources especially for Melbourne and Victoria).

John Cain, 4 June 2001. e:\maps\mcug\2001jun-minutes.doc