Collection Development Policy: Maps

The purpose of the UNT Libraries’ Map Collection is to provide access to map materials in support of the UNT curriculum. The collection is intended to be a resource for the academic community, as well as for local and regional community members.

The Map Collection consists primarily of flat maps with dimensions that prevent them from being stored in regular library stacks. Folded maps may also be included in the collection, depending on dimension and/or anticipated usage. 

The Map Collection is maintained as a part of the Government Documents Department, with Government Documents Department staff members providing reference assistance and access to the collection. The Government Documents Librarians, in consultation with liaisons and requesting faculty, are primarily responsible for selection, maintenance, and storage of the collection.

Acquisition

The majority of maps in the collection are obtained through the Federal Depository Library Program and the Texas State Publications Depository Program. The Government Documents Librarians will monitor national and state Depository Offers lists and request materials to supplement the collection, as needed. Maps that accompany other purchased material will be added to the collection after review by the Government Documents Librarians and the appropriate subject liaison. Maps will be purchased selectively, after consideration of relevance to the curriculum and size and space constraints. All requests for additions to the Map collections will be reviewed by the Government Documents Librarians to assure appropriate storage options are available.

Language

English language materials are primarily collected, but other languages may also be considered. 

Collection Areas

Current street maps of selected towns, cities, and metropolitan areas in the United States will be acquired. These maps will not be retained for historical purposes. Street maps of selected towns, cities, and metropolitan areas in Texas will be acquired on a regular basis and retained. 

We will retain all copies of maps of Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and all Metroplex cities for historical purposes. We will only house current editions of maps of Little Rock, AR; New Orleans, LA; Oklahoma City, OK; and Shreveport, LA.

Current highway maps for the 5-state area [Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas] will be acquired; however, only Texas highway maps will be kept for historical purposes. Road atlases will be acquired yearly, with older editions being sent to remote storage.

The focus of the collection is on current material, although maps of historic significance are retained.

All Central Intelligence Agency maps, which are received through the Federal Depository Library Program, will be retained. 

Maps produced by the National Geographic Society, which are received through our subscription to National Geographic Magazine, will be periodically evaluated by the Documents Librarians to determine relevance and to check for duplication.

Excluded Materials

Aerial photography, aeronautical charts, nautical charts, and maps larger than 41” x 51” are generally not collected. 

This policy last updated March 22, 2004