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Finding Topographic Maps

Topographic map collections are housed in the Science Library's Map Room (in the basement next to Document Services). The Lindgren Library staff can provide assistance in finding any maps you need.

Most maps circulate for one week with one renewal - check at the circulation desk for any restrictions. MIT users may suggest map purchases on the Suggested Purchase Form.

U.S. Topographic Maps

Topographic maps are received on deposit from the U.S. Geological Survey. The collection includes:

• 7.5' quadrangles
• some 15' quadrangles
• some orthophoto maps and orthophoto quads
• miscellaneous topographic sheets of various scales

These maps are housed in drawers in the Science Library Map Room:

• The drawers are arranged by state according to the Library of Congress Map Classification Table.
• Individual map sheets are filed alphabetically (note that the drawers containing New England state maps are near the beginning of the sequence).
• Topographical map indexes are shelved outside the Map Room near the beginning of the map cases. 
• Find maps by coordinates with the US Geological Survey’s State Map Lists online.

Foreign Topographical Maps

The foreign topographical map collection is composed primarily of maps from the Army Map Service (AMS) and successor agencies. There are also some miscellaneous city plans and thematic maps.

These maps are housed in drawers in the Science Library Map Room:

• Maps are arranged by series number. For example, under G3200 (WORLD) there are several series, 1105, 1301, etc.
• Arrangement within the series varies; most maps are arranged by sheet number.
  • To find the sheet number, see American Map Service (DMA) indexes in binders on the Map Reference shelves.
  • Each index describes the series, characteristics of the maps, how much of the area has been mapped, and what is available.
  • Most index sheets have a list of available maps on the verso; the list shows the Map Room's holdings.
  • The index sheet title is annotated with the Library of Congress number by which the series is filed.

Atlases

Most MIT libraries collect world atlases relevant to their subject areas.

The Science Library has general atlases of the world and individual countries and states.

• Some are located in the reference atlas cases, others are in the Map Room.
• Circulating atlases are in the oversized collection in the Hayden Library basement.
• Please search the Barton Catalog for individual titles.

The Map Room also houses some gazetteers from the U.S. Army Map Service (later called the Defense Mapping Agency or DMA). These are located on the Map Reference Shelves next to the cases outside the Map Room.