Guides
Wayfinders for our collections, tools, and servicesMap collections and resources: Find maps at Stanford
Find maps at Stanford
SearchWorks
SearchWorks is our online catalog for searching and accessing many of our libraries' resources, both physical and digital. To access, go to searchworks.stanford.edu
There isn't necessarily a perfect science to browsing and identifying the map of your dreams, but the variety of tutorials found in this section cover all the different techniques we as librarians use to narrow our searches!
davidrumsey.com
Not all of David Rumsey's map collection has yet been transferred to Stanford, and he continues to grow his collection. Because of this, his personal website www.davidrumsey.com is a great source for map exploration, especially as it was built around digital map viewing.
The following two StoryMaps will guide you in using SearchWorks and davidrumsey.com:
Getting Started: How to Search for Stanford Libraries' Maps Online
Working with Historical Maps Online
Textual explanation
On the SearchWorks landing page, you can begin by directing your attention to the left side of the page and locating the column of facets. We use the term facets to refer to a series of options in the form of drop down menus. Drop down the Resource type facet and select the Map option. This will automatically bring you to a results page for every item we hold that has been identified as a map.
On the results page, you can search either by keyword(s) using the search box at the top of the page or further use the facets on the left side of the page. Oftentimes, applying a combination of keyword(s) searching along with using the facets to hone your search will yield the best results.
Please note that you can begin honing your search by Map on the landing page as described above, or you can also add/complete this step from the results page.
Visual explanation
| SearchWorks > Resource Type > Map | Results Page > Facets or Keyword Search |
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Textual explanation
On the SearchWorks landing page, you can begin by directing your attention to the left side of the page and locating the column of facets. We use the term facets to refer to a series of options in the form of drop down menus. Drop down the Resource type facet and select the Map option. This will automatically bring you to a results page for every item we hold that has been identified as a map.
On the results page, you will need to first direct your attention to the facets and drop down the Access option. Select Online. The results page will refresh to any map that can be found online, and now is a good time to start searching by keyword(s) in the search box at the top or further using the facets on the left.
For example below, I have searched by 'minnesota' after selecting Access > Online, and I can now view any maps of Minnesota that have been scanned.
Visual explanation
| SearchWorks > Resource Type > Map | Results Page > Access > Online |
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