Q. What kind of map resources do you have?

Use Fondren's classic catalog to identify maps and determine their exact location in the library.  Often a keyword search using the word "map" combined with the geographic area and type of information (ex:"south america and map and geological") will be the simplest way to  search for these resources.

Atlases

Atlases are located in 4 different locations in the library.  Reference atlases are located on the first floor and oversized atlases are located in the basement, following the Rice dissertations.  Atlases may also be located in the general library stacks and, if published by a government agency, they may be located in the library basement within the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data and Geospatial Services.

Geologic, Hydrologic, Topographic, and Defense Mapping Agency Maps

These maps are located in flat files in the microforms room in Fondren's basement.  In addition to using the online catalog to identify particular maps in this collection, sheet indexes are available for finding topological maps of Texas (7.5 minute/quad) and areas in the United States west of the Mississippi (1 by 2 degree) and some Defense Mapping Agency maps.  A map guide is available for these collections and for general information about maps.

GIS and Electronic Format Maps

The GIS/Data Center offers geographic information systems (GIS) resources to the Rice community.  GIS resources received through the Federal Depository Library Program are located at the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data and Geospatial Services service desk and are available to the public. The Kelley Center also maintains a guide to online map resources.

Street/Road Maps

Area road atlases (Key Maps) and the Rand McNally state map collection are located in the Reference collection or are on reserve at Circulation and Reserves desk (both are on the first floor of Fondren Library).   A collection of folded street maps for cities in the U.S. and other countries is maintained and may be requested at the Kelley Center for Government Information, Data and Geospatial Services service desk in the basement.