Map and atlas cataloging

The rules on this page apply to AACR2 and have not been updated to RDA. Use at your own risk.

Chief source of information

The chief source of information for maps is the entire map.

The chief source of information for atlases is the title page.

Atlas vs. Book

Treat a volume that consists primarily of maps with (or without) descriptive text as an atlas. Treat a volume that consists primarily of text with maps used as illustrations as a book.

Fixed field

Type: e

Relief (Relf): Up to four codes. The most common codes for public libraries are:

[space] = no relief shown

a = Contours (Lines drawn to show points that have equal elevation)

d = Hachures (Short lines that point in the direction of the steepest slope and thus mark changes in elevation and the basic shape of the terrain. Generally found only on older maps)

g = Spot heights (A spot or plus sign, along with the exact elevation, that marks the highest--or lowest, for sea charts--points in the depicted area)

Projection (Proj, Base): Two character code. The most common codes for public libraries are:

[two spaces] = projection not specified (used for most highway maps)

bd = Mercator

be = Miller

bg = Sinusoidal

Type of map (CrTp, Rec_Grp): The most common codes for public libraries are:

a = Single map

e = Atlas

Special format characteristics (SpFm, Spec_Fmt): Up to two codes. The most common codes for public libraries are:

[two spaces] = No special format characteristics

o[space] = Wall map

Variable fields

Physical description fixed field (007)

Add one 007 field for the cartographic aspects.

If editing in WorkFlows:

007    aj*canzn  (highway map)
007    ad*canzn  (atlas)

If editing in Connexion:

007    a ‡b j ‡d c ‡e a ‡f n ‡g z ‡h n   (highway map)
007    a ‡b d ‡d c ‡e a ‡f n ‡g z ‡h n    (atlas)

Coded Cartographic Mathematical Data (034)

The 034 field is used to code data related to the scale ($a & $b) and the coordinates of the area depicted ($d through $g), and other information given in textual form in field 255. There must be an 034 field for each 255 field in the record.

Use a first indicator of 1 if the map has a single scale. Use a first indicator of 0 if the map has no scale.

The second indicator is blank for printed maps & atlases.

034 1_ a‡b506880‡dW0900000‡eW0820000‡fN0360000‡gN0350000

Geographic Area Code (043)

Use the geographic area code for the area depicted in the maps. This code will often be included in the authority file record for a specific place

043 __ n-us-il  (For a map of Illinois)

Geographic classiciation (052)

This field contains the Library of Congress Classification geographic area code and, for cities and other places smaller than a state or country, the LC Geographic Cutter. If multiple areas included (such as a map of New York & New Jersey), include a separate 052 for each distinct area mentioned in the subject headings.

Code this data if it can be easily determined (such as if it is already present in a record, or by copying it from a record created by LC for a different map of the same geographic area); otherwise, skip it.

052 __ 3961  (For a map of Tennessee)
052 __ 6514‡bP7  (For a map of Prague, Czech Republic)

Corporate author (110)

Companies or government bodies are often directly responsible for creating a map, so they often need to be the main entry for a record. This is especially true for highway maps.

Main title (245 $a)

For state highway maps, the title on the panel that shows when the map is folded often differs from the title on the map itself (if there even is one on the map itself), and is usually more distinctive & useful than a title on the map. Use the panel title as the main title and give the source of title in a note.

Mathematical and material specific data (255)

For each 255 field in a record, there must also be a corresponding 034 field.

Scale (255 $a)

If the scale is given on the item as a ratio (e.g. 1:63.360 or ca. 1:250,000), enter that in the form Scale 1:63,360 or Scale ca. 1:250,000.

If the scale is given, but not as a ratio (e.g. "1 inch to 4 miles"), convert that to a ratio and enter it in square brackets, followed by what appears on the item<LCRI 3.3B1> in the form Scale [1:253,440]. 1 in. to 3.95 miles. 1 cm. to 2.5 km.

If the scale is not given but there is a bar scale or the scale can be estimated by measuring between grid lines, then convert that information to a ratio and enter it in square brackets with "ca." in the form Scale [ca. 1:63,360].

Two useful tools for converting scale information to ratios are Oregon State's map scale calculator and the Bureau of Economic Geology's map scale calculator.

If the scale is not given and cannot be determined, enter Scale not given.

If the item in hand contains multiple primary maps with two scales and different coordinates, give each scale in a separate 255 field. If there are three or more scales involved, use Scales differ instead. If the item in hand contains multiple primary maps with two or more scales but the same projection and coordinates, give all of the scales in a single 255 $a subfield.

Projection (255 $b)

If the type of projection is stated, provide that. Precede the 255 $b by a semi-colon. Example:

255 __ Scale 1:250,000 ;‡bconic equidistant proj.

Coordinates (255 $c)

When it can be easily ascertained, give the coordinates of the westernmost, easternmost, northernmost and southernmost extents of area covered by the map, in that order, using either decimal degrees or degrees/minutes/seconds. When using degrees/minutes/seconds, use a prime (a.k.a. miyagkii znak) for the minutes symbol and a double prime (a.k.a. tverdyi znak) for the seconds symbol. Examples:

255 __ Scale 1:250,000 ;‡bTransverse Mercator proj. Everest spheroid‡c(W 74˚50´ --W 74˚40´/N 45˚05´--N 45˚00´).
255 __ Scale 1:100,000‡c(E 079.5333265--E 086.216635/S 012.583377--S 020.419532).

Physical description (300)

Extent (300 $a)

For maps, the most common SMD is map. If multiple maps are present on a single piece of paper, use the format "4 maps on 1 sheet". For atlases, the SMD is atlas, with the number of pages following in parentheses.

300 __ 1 map
300 __ 1 atlas (xvi, 125 p.)

Other physical details (300 $b)

If the map has an unusual layout, describe it:

300 __ 1 map :‡bboth sides  (for a map continued on the back side of the sheet at the same scale)
300 __ 2 maps on 1 sheet :‡bback to back  (for the same map printed in different languages on each side of a single sheet)

If the maps in an atlas are numbered or can be easily estimated, give the number of maps:

300 __ 1 atlas ( 330 p.) :‡b100 col. maps
300 __ 1 atlas (207 p.) :‡bca. 190 maps

If the map itself is or is partly in color, indicate that.

300 __ 1 map:‡bcol.

Dimensions (300 $c)

Measure atlases as you would a book.

For maps, if it is easy to measure, give the dimensions of the map itself, not the paper it is printed on. Include the dimensions of the sheet when either the height or width of the map is less than half the height or width of the sheet or when the map itself is not easy to measure. For maps designed to display a panel title when folded (such as highway maps), include the dimensions of the folded sheet. Round up to the nearest whole centimeter.

300 __ 1 map :‡bcol. ;‡c25 x 35 cm.
300 __ 1 map :‡bcol. ;‡con sheet 45 x 33 cm.
300 __ 1 map :‡bcol. ;‡c20 x 31 cm., on sheet 42 x 50 cm.
300 __ 1 map :‡bcol. ;‡c80 x 57 cm., folded to 21 x 10 cm.
300 __ 1 map :‡bcol. ;‡con sheet 112 x 77 cm., folded to 22 x 10 cm.

Source of title note (500)

Even though the chief source of information for maps is the entire item in hand, if you took the title from somewhere other than the map itself--particularly for panel titles of state highway maps--give the source of the title in a note:

500 __ Panel title.

Additional description note (500)

In addition to the primary map, there may be ancillary maps, charts, and indexes that should be listed in a 500 note.

For example, an Illinois highway map may need a note such as: "Includes 14 local route maps of various Illinois cities, distance charts, and indexes."

Or, if maps are on the verso, the note might read: "On verso: ancillary maps of Downtown Chicago, City of Chicago and near suburbs [etc.], as well as a mileage table."

Some maps include extensive tourist information, which can also be summarized in a 500 note. A Colorado highway map may include a note such as: "Verso includes 8 local route maps, indexes to points of interest, state parks, mountains, ski areas, national parks, monuments, list of scenic byways, text and col. ill."

Subject headings (650, 651, etc.)

The basic form subdivision for maps & atlases is ‡vMaps.

State highway maps usually get these subject headings:

650 _0 Roads‡z[State]‡vMaps.
650 _0 Cities and towns‡z[State]‡vMaps.
651 _0 [State]‡vMaps.

State highway maps with additional information on camping, hiking, skiing, etc. sites usually also get the subject heading:

650 _0 Outdoor recreation‡z[State]‡vMaps.

Form/Genre heading (655)

Some common form & genre headings for maps or atlases:

655 _0 Atlases.
655 _0 Cadastral maps. (Used for plat maps)
655 _0 Children's atlases.
655 _0 Fire insurance maps. (Used for Sanborn maps)
655 _0 Road maps.
655 _0 Thematic maps.
655 _0 Tourist maps.
655 _0 World atlases.
655 _0 World maps.
655 _0 Wall maps.