Tutorials,
Guides, & How-to's

FINDING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

Topographic maps are concerned with the graphic representation of the surface features and configuration of an area. Many such maps are located in the government publications map collection on the 1st floor of the library.

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS

7.5' X 15' topographic maps (greater detail) for the states below are located in horizontal map cases 1 through 3.

Virginia (all quads)
West Virginia*
North Carolina* South Carolina*
New Jersey*
Maryland*/Delaware* (indexed together)
District of Columbia - (with overlapping parts of Virginia and Maryland)

(*selected quadrangles for states other than Virginia.)

Tip: Topographic maps are filed by state, then alphabetically, by quad within each state.

USING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS:

STEP 1: Finding the Index Maps:

A. Index maps for 7.5' X 15' topographic maps are located in the first drawer for each state
(map cases # 1-3)

B. The index map for 30' X 60' topographic maps is in the first drawer labeled I 19.110:

Selected 30'x60' topographic maps (less detail than 7.5' X 15') for other areas of the United States are located in horizontal (map cases 4 and 5) under SuDocs Number I 9.110.

C. The index for the county maps (We have some Virginia counties.)

Selected County Maps for Virginia are in the horizontal map case (4) under SuDocs Number I 19.108:

STEP 2: Find the map in alphabetical order by quad name. Please handle with care.

STEP 3: When you are finished with the map, please leave it flat on top of the map case to be re-filed by staff.

Using the Online Catalog to Find Maps:
The Library has begun a project to catalog over 10,000 maps. Until the project is completed the old card catalog will remain in the map area on the first floor near the hanging map cases. Please experiment with the online catalog. It's very effective to use keyword searching to find maps. Here are some sample keyword searches for finding topographic maps in our collection:

Example: topographic and 7.5
Example: topographic and Norfolk

PURCHASING TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS: Virginia and the Outer Banks of North Carolina

Topographic maps of selected areas in Virginia and selected areas of the Outer Banks of North Carolina are available at: Eagleton's Inc, 430 Boush Street, Norfolk , Virginia (757-622-1881)

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS OF OTHER STATES

If you wish to purchase topographic maps from other states, you may find catalogs in the Vertical File (green metal file cabinets) in the Government Publications map area. States are arranged alphabetically. In the first folder for each state, you may find an index and a catalog of topographic maps for that state. Look inside the cover for purchase information. Maps you have identified by these indexes/catalogs may be requested by mail from:

Map Sales
US Geological Survey
Box 25286, Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225
Phone (for questions) 303/202-4700

Internet: Information about mapping resources on the Internet can be obtained from the United States Geological Survey Web site

Additional information about mapping products and digital files may be found on the ODU Library's Guide to GIS (Geographic Information Systems)

Information on this site includes:

* Services provided by the library to assist with GIS
* GIS software available on campus
* Types of geographic data sets available
* Campus workshops related to GIS

Many excellent resources are available on the Internet. Use the Library's Homepage on the Web at http://www.lib.odu.edu as a gateway.