Donating old maps?

[NE2]

(not sure if this belongs in general highway talk)

I have a bunch of old maps sitting around collecting dust. There are some that I'll study once in a while, but I've scanned the most useful ones. I've considered donating them to a library, but, since part of the collection comes from the trash bin of a university library, I'd need to be assured that they won't be junked. I'd also like the library to scan them and put them online in downloadable form (subject to copyright law, though a library offering historic maps is probably a pretty clear case of educational fair use). I'm wondering if anyone knows of a place that will do this. Several libraries have their own collections scanned and online, such as the University of Texas at Austin (though their post-1923 maps may only be USGS) and the University of Alabama (includes some post-1923 government-produced maps). The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection has a few road maps, including a 1953 San Francisco Gousha and a 1947 US Rand McNally. There are other private collections like the Broer Map Library and Historic Map Works, but neither is easily downloadable or guaranteed to remain free. Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with donating old road maps for the purpose of wider distribution.

[Michael in Philly]

(not sure if this belongs in general highway talk)

I have a bunch of old maps sitting around collecting dust. There are some that I'll study once in a while, but I've scanned the most useful ones. I've considered donating them to a library, but, since part of the collection comes from the trash bin of a university library, I'd need to be assured that they won't be junked. I'd also like the library to scan them and put them online in downloadable form (subject to copyright law, though a library offering historic maps is probably a pretty clear case of educational fair use). I'm wondering if anyone knows of a place that will do this. Several libraries have their own collections scanned and online, such as the University of Texas at Austin (though their post-1923 maps may only be USGS) and the University of Alabama (includes some post-1923 government-produced maps). The David Rumsey Historical Map Collection has a few road maps, including a 1953 San Francisco Gousha and a 1947 US Rand McNally. There are other private collections like the Broer Map Library and Historic Map Works, but neither is easily downloadable or guaranteed to remain free. Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with donating old road maps for the purpose of wider distribution.

Any experience, no.  But have you considered the Library of Congress?

[rawmustard]

Basically I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with donating old road maps for the purpose of wider distribution.

Any experience, no.  But have you considered the Library of Congress?

Or just bring them to a road meet–I'm sure there would be other attendees looking to fill gaps in their collections.

[froggie]

The extent of my experience is similar to what rawmustard mentioned:  bringing my duplicates and other maps I'm not interested in to road meets for distribution to others in the hobby who may want them.

[US71]

Some libraries may take them, but some libraries toss them unless they have "historical significance".

You might try RMCA/ Road Map Collectors of America: www.roadmaps.org

Someone there may be able to steer you to a collector.

If all else fails, try your local Free Cycle list

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

If you have maps of Louisiana, LSU map Library would take them. If you have maps of Ohio, don't send them to Ohio State, they'll resell them at their used book sales (because I've purchased maps from them that way).

[Scott5114]

You're best off just taking them to a road meet, or if that's not feasible, posting a list of what you have to here or MTR and letting whoever wants them take them. Libraries sadly don't seem to find 20 year old maps as interesting as we do.

[US71]

You're best off just taking them to a road meet, or if that's not feasible, posting a list of what you have to here or MTR and letting whoever wants them take them. Libraries sadly don't seem to find 20 year old maps as interesting as we do.

20? Heck, I've got maps older than I am. 

[nyratk1]

You're best off just taking them to a road meet, or if that's not feasible, posting a list of what you have to here or MTR and letting whoever wants them take them. Libraries sadly don't seem to find 20 year old maps as interesting as we do.

20? Heck, I've got maps older than I am. 

I've got maps older than my parents.

[english si]

I've got a map or two older than some of my grandparents...

[agentsteel53]

I've got a map or two older than some of my grandparents...

I've got a map that's hand-drawn by Moses himself.  It shows I-99 across the Red Sea.

[NE2]

I've got a map that's hand-drawn by Moses himself.  It shows I-95 across the Bronx.

[nyratk1]

I've got a map older than the Big Bang. It just shows one point.

[agentsteel53]

I've got a map older than the Big Bang. It just shows one point.

I've got a map just slightly newer than that.  It shows one point.  And your map.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

You're best off just taking them to a road meet, or if that's not feasible, posting a list of what you have to here or MTR and letting whoever wants them take them. Libraries sadly don't seem to find 20 year old maps as interesting as we do.

It's not that libraries don't find 20 year old maps interesting, it's what is the significance of the document being donated. What does the donation bring to the library's collection that it didn't have before? Will other folks find it useful? Will it be used? Is there another copy of this in the collection, or can be easily found elsewhere?

[mightyace]

And, most libraries have limit space for both open stacks and storage.  And, in today's climate, not too many of them can afford to expand.

[texaskdog]

Awesome map library here at the UT campus in Austin.  I was going to donate some once and I dont remember ever doing it, I must still have them in my closet.  I know I would never throw them away.