The Map Library
Collection
The Map Library collection consists of about 200,000 maps, over 500 atlases and geographic reference books, and a growing collection of digital spatial data. Our collection provides well-rounded, world-wide coverage comprised of general and thematic maps and atlases at small and large scales and related reference materials such as gazetteers.
Map Library
Resources for the City Analysis Assignment
Aerial Photographs
Satellite photographs for selected national
and international cities.
Terraserver
USA:
USGS aerial photographs of the
United States.
Atlases with aerial photographs of the Denver
Metro Region and the Northern Front Range.
USGS aerial photographs on CD for the Front
Range, 1990s.
The Map Library collection contains many other
types of maps to help you research
your chosen city. Maps showing topography,
political boundaries, soils, vegetation,
hydrology, and other themes present
the environmental setting of the
study area. Topographic maps are
often the best place to start your
background research. The Map Library
has topographic maps for the whole
United States and many foreign countries.
Terraserver
USA also serves out U.S.
topographic maps.
Tips on Searching for
Maps
We estimate that more than half of the maps in our
collection are cataloged in Chinook. All of the atlases,
reference books, and CDs in the Map Library can be
found through Chinook.
It is often helpful to limit your search to "material
type: maps/globes". Many atlases and electronic
maps are located in places other than the Map Library,
so be wary of using the limit to "Location:
Map Library".
Always remember that when you search
for a map in Chinook, you are not seeing our full
collection; you are only seeing what has been cataloged
so far. Come to the Map Library and we can help you
search for what you need.
Searching for Uncataloged Maps
Uncataloged maps are arranged in order by geographic
area in drawers that can be browsed. We have a number
of indexes and databases in paper and online that
we can use to help you find the map you need. Please
ask us for help.
Understanding & Using Maps
Use these links to learn more about scale, USGS topographic map
symbols, important considerations in cartography, and other map-related
basics.
Topographic
Maps: A discussion about topographic
maps including map symbols and how to
read a topographic map. From the USGS.
Making Sense of
Maps: Discusses the basics of map use from the perspective of
maps as historical evidence. From History Matters.
Understand
Maps, from About.com's Geography section
Clear articles about various aspects of maps, such as scale, latitude and longitude, and map projections. It is sometimes a chore to ignore the flashing ads on this site, but the content is great.
Map Library
Contact Information
Email: maplib@colorado.edu
Reference Desk: 303-492-7578
