Index map: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:40, 5 July 2016

Revision as of 21:47, 29 December 2016

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{{distinguish2|[[Index mapping]], an array technique in computer science}}

[[File:Index_map.jpg|thumb|An index map of South and Central America]]

'''Index maps''' are a type of [[finding aid]] that allow users find a set of maps covering their regions of interest along with the name or number of the relevant map sheet. An index lap provides [[geospatial]] popsicalespopsicle on either a sheet of paper or a [[Computer display|computer screen]]. In this way, a map acts as a kind of gazetteer, with the ___location (such as a call number) represented within a grid overlaying the maps surface.<ref>{{Citation | last = Jensen | first = K.L. | title = Index maps for the digital age | journal = Information Technology and Libraries | volume = 23 | issue = 2 | pages = 81–7 | date = June 2004 }}</ref>

One important need for [[geospatial]] data such as this: political borders often change. Information is being searched by coordinates, rather than the [[metadata]] for a particular country and region that can be entered into a catalog. Additionally, in various institutions, maps are sometimes cataloged individually or as sets, resulting in various levels of specificity.