News and Microforms Reference Desk Blog

This is a public web space for News and Microforms Library staff and faculty to share reference and operational information, post answers to recurring questions, explanations of class assignments, and other information to help with the News and Microforms Reference/Service Desk

Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps

To all:
We've added a link to the NML Home page that links to a more complete page about the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps.
We get regular questions in NML about the NML Sanborn Map collection.  Read the information carefully on the link (which goes to the Earth and Mineral Sciences Library).  The Special Collections Library has a complete set of PENNSYLVANIA Sanborn maps for certain years and cities.  In NML we have selected holdings on microfilm for Pennsylvania, West Virginia, New York, Maryland, and New Jersey.

Because of the nature of these maps and the reduction ratio they aren't all that much fun to view on the microfilm and printing/scanning is a challenge.  So, if Special Collections is open, we will often refer patrons to that location for PA maps to look at the maps, which are quite lovely and a wonderful to use.  The link from the E&MS page referred to above is also providing links to other states where there are scanned images of some of these maps.

If users want more complete reference help with Sanborn Maps (beyond wanting the microfilm), the best option is to send them to the Maps Library (there are different editions for each community and they have a reference book that provides that information) or directly to Special Collections.
Our collection is usually a back up on weekends or evenings when Special Collections or the Maps Library aren't open.

Please comment. and take time to find the Sanborn Map CAT record a keyword search "sanborn fire insurance maps" works nicely.

Best.  Debora

posted by: newsmicro at 21:39 | link | comments (5) |

Le Figaro

Le Figaro, Microfilm E218, temporarily, is located on a cart near the cabinet marked Microfilm E174-E218.
UPDATE: Microfilm E218 is now located back in its cabinet.

posted by: newsmicro at 20:03 | link | comments (5) |

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