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  star icon About the Map Collection
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  star icon Buffalo/WNY Maps
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  star icon Map Resources
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  star icon Finding Maps
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  star icon FAQs
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  star icon Support this Collection
 


Home > Libraries & Collections > ASL > Map Collection > FAQs

FAQs


  • How do I locate Maps at UB? Most of our maps and atlases are cataloged so search BISON: the UB Libraries Catalog. There is also a list of some of our uncataloged map collections.

  • How do I locate Electronic Maps? Finding good, accurate electronic maps and digital images of printed maps requires some effort but a number of good sites exist and you can find good maps for your research and leisure. Start with the following:
    • Teaching With Maps (UB Libraries). Selection of the best map collections and providers; categorized by place, theme, or producer, this will provide for most of your electronic map needs
    • Geography & Map Resources (UB Libraries). Additional collections, tools, and resources on maps
    • Popular Search Engines will assist if you cannot locate maps on the above pages.

f you need additional assistance finding e-maps, contact David Bertuca, the Map Librarian.

  • What maps do you have of Buffalo, New York? Western New York? Also on these pages are links to maps/satellite images for Erie and Niagara Counties, along with some of the major cities and towns.
  • Are there aerial photographs in the Collection? Are there Map & Satellite Images Online?
  • Can I check maps out? Yes, maps in the Map Room (except for those in Map Reference & Atlas Collections) may be borrowed by UB students, staff, and by those with other borrowing privileges.
  • Where can I buy maps?
  • How do I locate topographic maps?
  • What do all the map symbols mean?
  • Can I donate maps, charts, aerial photographs, and atlases to the Collection? Yes, we encourage you to consider contributing maps, aerial photos, and other cartographic materials of any type, including: travel maps in brochures, road maps (historic or new), custom-produced maps from research or classes, and other items. We are also encouraging you to submit GIS data sets that you have created and are willing to share. Please contact David Bertuca, Map Librarian for details. Donated or gifted maps are one of the main ways that we can obtain maps, especially those that are unique, or that fill in gaps in our collection. We appreciate this greatly. More info
  • Are there maps for other countries besides the United States? Yes, to locate these, search BISON the UB Libraries Catalog. (generally search by country (e.g. subject search) and k = maps OR limit the search by the map format). There are many ways to search for maps; some of these are described under Finding Maps.
  • Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Where do I go for data or library assistance? We are developing a GIS center; contact David Bertuca for assistance.
    • How do I learn how to use ArcView? Go here for professional tutorials from ESRI (part of UB's ArcGIS site license).
  • Digital Sanborn Maps: Who can use them? The University Libraries subscribe to the Digital Sanborn Maps for New York state only. All UB students and staff may access these as part of our subscription, as well as those on campus with guest passes, and those with UB Alumni or Friends of the Libraries memberships. Our subscription is expensive and we are required to limit use to this population. We do not share passwords or access to anyone who does not belong to one of the above groups.
  • What is the Geographical Center of the United States? Maps, etc. based on 2000 Census.
  • Center of Population (U.S. Census). Official page.
    • Census 2000 USA Center of Population. Listing for each state with coordinates.
    • US Center of Population Changes.
    • Where are the Population Centers for each state? (2000 Census).

Where can I buy maps?

Local suppliers

  • Gander Mountain, 880 Young Street, Tonawanda, NY 14150. 716-743-2300.
    Offers MapCard, a subscription service providing unlimited access to topo maps, aerial photos, and powerful mapping tools.
  • Erie County Soil and Water Conservation District. The county office of the New York State Soil and Water Conservation Committee. 50 Commerce Way, East Aurora, New York 14052. (716) 652-8480. Topo maps of Erie County, New York only. Also has reports on local watersheds and soil studies.
  • Niagara County Historical Society, 215 Niagara Street, Lockport, New York 14094. (716) 434-7433.
  • Travel and road maps, along with other commercial maps are available at Barnes & Noble.

Online sources

  • USGS Store. Printed and digital topographic and other maps, GIS data sets, other U.S. government cartographic materials. Also, use Ask USGS. Some products (e.g., Aerial Photography) are listed under specific type of material. Additional product information.
    • USGS Geography Products page lists free and purchase items and data.
  • Government Maps (Ask USGS - Earth Science Information Center). Not only USGS produced maps.
  • DeLorme. Producer of maps in print and electronic (with GPS-compatibility). Features: TopoUSA maps (CD/DVD editions); Street Atlas USA. Both run on PC and allow for customized maps and measurements that you can develop for yourself.
  • Omni Resources Map Catalog.
  • Map Link. Maps of continents, countries, other. Map indexes available online. Good source for USGS Topos, map reading and measuring tools.
  • MapMart. Has all kinds of maps and data sets. USGS maps are available here. A good source for digital data and for scanned files of paper maps.
  • Topo Maps & Satellite Images online. Refer to this link for topos, satellite images.
  • Maps.com. Listed as the "World's Largest Map Store."
  • Omni Resources Map Catalog. "The world's largest online map catalog." USGS maps are available here.
  • National Geographic. (link goes to store).
  • Topo Maps (Trails.com). Maps ready for purchase, or custom, user-created maps can be ordered.
  • Ordnance Survey - U.K. For maps produced by the  British government.
  • Where to Buy Maps. Large listing of reliable map dealers (compiled by the Perry-Castañeda Map Collection, UT Library).


Guide Author: David J. Bertuca
Last Update
: 10 April 2013


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