Index maps are a type of finding aid that enables users to find a set of maps covering their regions of interest along with the name or number of the relevant map sheet. An index map provides geospatial data on either a sheet of paper or a 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 map's surface.[1]
One important reason for using geospatial data instead of political borders is because the latter often change. Information is 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.
References
- ^ Jensen, K.L. (June 2004), "Index maps for the digital age", Information Technology and Libraries, 23 (2): 81–7