Olin Library houses a large collection of many different types of maps. The collection consists primarily of maps distributed through the Federal Library Depository Program and are issued by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Maps from state geological surveys and commercial publishers are also included in the collection. Most maps published after 1976 are searchable in the Library catalog except for most thematic maps.
A brief description of some of the types of maps follows.
Topographic maps are the most common type of map; they show topography and relief of a particular area of land. These maps can cover a single 7.5” by 7.5” quadrangle (scale of 1:24,000), a 7.5” by 15” (scale of 1:25,000), a 15' quadrangle (scale of 1:62,500), and selected county maps. Most but not all of the conterminous United States is covered by 7.5” quadrangle maps; in some cases coverage is provided only by 15” quadrangles. USGS catalogs are available to determine what types of map coverage are available for what localities. USGS topographic maps are also available for download here.
Olin Library collects geologic and shaded relief maps for areas across the country and throughout the world. The areas covered and scales of the maps vary. Shaded relief and geologic maps can be located by searching the library catalog and the publication catalog from the state geological survey offices. Detailed geologic maps for most states can be found in the State Geological Survey Publications Collection.
Base maps and some shaded relief maps produced by the CIA are usually on an 8 ½” x 11” sheet or an 11” x 17” sheet and cover various regions around the world. The maps are also available online. Please note that some of the maps can be viewed online and printed but cannot be downloaded. CIA maps can be located by searching the library catalog.
Produced by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, soil surveys are compiled for various counties across the United States. The Olin Library holdings include soil surveys for counties in all states, which can be located by using the Library catalog.