Superpatron

Cartographic Beasts - open house at U Michigan Map Library

From the announcement - more about the U of Michigan Map Library from their web site.

Map Library Open House
4:00 PM-7:00 PM
Thursday, October 16, 2008
825 Hatcher

On the third Thursday of every month, the U-M Map Library holds an informal open house. This month's event celebrates "Cartographic Beasts," which refers to the often strange and unusual creatures and animals that are portrayed on early maps. Some were drawn as descriptive illustrations of newly seen animals and others are used as symbols of strength, power, and knowledge. Even more interesting are the strange human-like faces that were often used in decoration. Join the Map Library staff for a fascinating cartographic adventure.

This is what they say about themselves:

The Map Library, located on the 8th floor of Hatcher Graduate Library, is the principal collection for cartographic materials at the University of Michigan, with an emphasis on both historic and modern mapping, including digital resources. It supports teaching and research activities of faculty, staff and students in many disciplines. Spatial and Numeric Data Services (SAND) provides assistance with finding and using data, geographical information systems, and statistical software, and is located on the 2nd floor of the Hatcher Graduate Library. The Clements Library has extensive historic maps and atlases, and the Bentley Historical Library also holds works with a focus on Michigan history.

and what they don't say is that the view from the 8th floor of the grad is awesome.

Vertical file travel collection at Sterling Municipal (Baytown, TX)

From David Bigwood's comments on Ryan Eby's blog:

For several years I worked nights at a local public library, Sterling Municipal. They had an extensive vertical file collection part of which was travel brochures and maps of many locations. They received the material by being on mailing lists of chambers and travel and visitor organizations. When the staff went somewhere and picked up that kind of material they would bring it back and dontate it to the collections. Even some patrons would bring in material. Some local travel agencies would pass on maps and flyers. The collection was very well used. Folks would stop by before a trip and pick up the brochures and flyers to decide where to stay and what to see. They could get the addreesses for the Web sites of the items, for another look. They they would check out the maps for the trip itself. Works well.

As an aside, Sterling Municipal is announcing availability of a patron reading history so that patrons can see what books they've checked out (opt in, of course). I recall being sternly lectured by a senior librarian at a library conference that that was a dangerous thing to do, even if it's what people wanted.