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Advanced Map Searches


The following is a guide on how to search for different types of maps in the UA Library catalog. All of the maps in the library are in the catalog. Most of the historic maps (pre-1930), will be found in Special Collections, however copies of historic maps will be found in the Map Collection.  Also see the Geography Subject Guide

How to use the UA Library catalog to search for maps

After you perform a search in the UA Library catalog, how do you make sure that your call number belongs to a map? When you have a list of titles on the screen:

  1. Click on the "Limit/Sort" button
  2. Under MATERIAL Type, click on the down arrow and select "MAP".
  3. Click on the "Limit/Sort items..." button and the catalog will find all the maps in your original search.

For a Keyword search:

  1. Type in your keywords in the search box.
  2. Under Choose Limits, click on the down arrow next to FORMAT and choose "MAP", then click on "Search".

If you need assistance, please contact the staff at the Information Commons Help Desk (Main Library Floor 1) or the Science-Engineering Library Reference Desk.

How to use a subject search to find a map

General maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Maps
World Maps

Example: Arizona Maps
 

Outline and base maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] -  Maps - Outline and base
World maps - Outline and base.

Example: United States Maps outline and base
 

Physical maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Maps - Physical
World maps - Physical.

Example:  Canada Maps Physical
 

Topographic maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Maps, Topographic

Example: New Mexico Maps topographic
 

Hydrographic charts

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: Nautical charts - [Geographic area]
Nautical charts

Example: Nautical charts Chile
 

Aeronautical charts

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: Aeronautical charts - [Geographic area]
Aeronautical charts

Example: Aeronautical charts Arkansas
 

Road maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: Roads - [Geographic area] - maps
Roads maps

Example: Roads Mexico maps
 

Aerial photographs

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Aerial photographs

Example: Tucson Ariz Aerial photographs
 

Historical maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Historical geography - Maps

Example: Arizona Historical geography Maps
 

Pre-1900 maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: [Geographic area] - Maps
[Geographic area] - Historical Geography - Maps

 

Flood Insurance rate maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by:
Insurance, Flood - [Geographic area] - Maps
Example: Insurance, Flood Arizona Maps
 

Geologic maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by:
Geology - [Geographic area] - Maps
Geology - Maps

Example: Geology Arizona Maps
 

Vegetation or Plant distribution maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by:
Phytogeography - [Geographic area] - Maps Biotic communities - [Geographic area] - Maps
Botany - [Geographic area] - Maps

Example: Phytogeography Brazil Maps
 

Mines and mineral location maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject search by: Mines and mineral resources - [Geographic area] - Maps
[Mineral] - [Geographic area] - Maps

Example:  Mines and mineral resources Utah Maps
Example:   Gold Alaska Maps
 

Land use maps

In the Library Catalog under Subject or in the Map Collection card catalog search by: Land use - [Geographic area] - Maps

Example: Land use Mexico Maps

 

 

Last modified: May 15, 2013