The Arthur Lakes Library Map Room collects cartographic materials in all formats in order to support the mission of the Arthur Lakes Library and the Colorado School of Mines (CSM).  Some material received in the Map Room comes via the Federal Government through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP).  Thus, The Map Room, in accordance with requirements defined in Title 44 U.S. Code, Instructions to Depository Libraries, and the Federal Depository Library Manual, serves the government information needs of the 7th Congressional District as well as the CSM community.

The Map Room materials are classified by the Library of Congress (LC) call number scheme and are shelved on Level 1, separate from the main collection.  Materials are acquired in paper, microfiche and film, and electronic formats.  Except for reference and fragile items, and microfiche, all materials may be checked out in accordance with Library policies.  The Library provides free public access to the entire collection.  The Map Collection is available all of the hours the Library is open.

7th Congressional District Analysis

See the Government Publications section for a comprehensive analysis of the 7th Congressional District.

Selection Process

The selection policy for The Map Room is consistent with the overall selection policy of the Arthur Lakes Library, but also considers the needs of the general public of the 7th Congressional District.

In generally, only current or most-recent publications are acquired for the collection.  However, retrospective items are acquired if they meet other collection criteria.  Additional, some items acquired to replace damaged copies.

Map Room items are obtained four ways--the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), purchases, exchanges, and gifts.

Materials received via the FDLP are selected from The List of Classes.  These selections are reviewed annually by the Map Librarian.  The decisions on selecting and deselecting depository items are guided by the information presented in the Federal Depository Library Manual, the information needs of the community served, the frequency of use of the items, prior library holdings, the availability of resources in nearby libraries, and the availability of staff time, and space and money to support the resources.  Accurate records of items received via the FDLP are kept.

Before making purchases, the Map Librarian examines the current Library holdings, considers the needs of the Library’s patrons, and consults catalogs and reviews.  All purchases are approved by the Collection Development Librarian.

The Map Room receives a number of items on exchange from other states and nations.  The Map Librarian pursues further similar exchange agreements.

Gifts provide a valuable supplement to the Map Room.  However, in order to ensure that the items within the gift fit the needs of the Library and its patrons, the Map Librarian evaluates all gifts prior to accepting them.

Subjects Selected

The maps, books and other items selected support the areas of strength in the Arthur Lakes Library.  Priority is given to materials based on geographic area and thematic content.  Though there are no chronological limitations, only current maps are actively collected.  The thematic emphasis is on, but not limited to, geology, mining, energy resources, mineral resources, water resources, geophysics, engineering, and environmental sciences.

Worldwide topographic coverage is maintained.  Except for maps of Colorado, only a single copy of the latest version of each topographic sheet is kept.

Two copies of every version of every US Geological Survey (USGS) topographic map of Colorado are kept.  The first copy resides in the Map Room Office and is non-circulating.  The second copy circulates in accordance with standard policies.  A list of these maps is maintained and mounted on the Map Room's website.

Reference materials including directories, and indexes are actively sought.  Reference materials may include indexes to identify maps of specific areas, even if the Library does not own the maps themselves. 

National Forest and National Park maps are actively sought.

Nautical charts and related materials are not collected.

Aerial photography and satellite images are collected but limited to Colorado.

City and county road maps of Colorado are collected.  City and county road maps of other states are not collected.

2 copies of each Colorado and 1 copy of each Wyoming official state highway maps are collected.  Utah, New Mexico, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas and Arizona official state highway maps are collected every third year.  All other states west of the Mississippi River are collected every 5 years.  All states east of the Mississippi River and all Canadian Provinces are collected every 10 years.  Exceptions are made for official state road maps published before 1946.

Colorado and Wyoming highway maps (e.g., AAA, Texaco, Gousha, Rand McNally) maps are collected.  All other states are not.  Exceptions are made for road maps published before 1946.

Geology and mining maps are actively sought.  A particular emphasis is placed on geological maps of Colorado and the Western United States.  2 copies of geologic and mining maps of Colorado produced by federal and state agencies are kept.

It is at the Map Librarian’s discretion to decide if more copies of a particular item, or items outside of the scope of the Collection Development Policy are kept.

Collection Weeding and Maintenance

Because the emphasis of the collection is generally based on currency and recent publications, items out-of-date or superseded may be weeded.  These weeded items may be disposed of, offered in exchange to other libraries, or sold at the Library's Annual Book Sale.  This decision is made by the Map Librarian.

All items selected through the Government Depository System may be withdrawn following procedures in the Guidelines for Depository Libraries.

Monographs intended to be kept in the collection and in poor condition generally are repaired and bound.  Maps intended to be kept in the collection and in poor condition generally are repaired, and encapsulated in mylar.