A Map Librarian on the Road: Four Collections in Four Days

In June 2025, Map Librarian Kathleen Weessies set out on a week-long journey to four academic map collections with a focused goal: to compare holdings of select international topographic map sets. But the trip quickly became more than a data-gathering mission. By approaching each collection as a researcher, Kathleen experienced firsthand the nuances of access, service, and user experience.

In this webinar, she will share her findings and reflections on the central question: Are large academic map collections largely the same? She will also invite participants into a broader conversation about the role of maps in academic research and how map libraries might evolve to meet future needs. This session aims to spark dialogue among librarians, researchers, and map enthusiasts about the value and visibility of map collections in the scholarly landscape.

This is the recording of the webinar, not including the Discussion / Q&A portion, held via Zoom on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 2pm EDT