Harvard Maps Collection

Digital Collections

Overview

The Harvard Map Collection maintains hundreds of cartographic CD-ROMs, which consist of digital images, electronic atlases, and geospatial data sets. These may be used within the Harvard Map Collection, many on a walk-in basis. Please see a reference librarian for assistance.

A digital cartography specialist is available to answer your research questions and provide computing assistance. For assistance with the more advanced data sets and software, e-mail to schedule an appointment.

All electronic materials are subject to Licensing and Copyright restrictions.

Digital Exhibitions

The Harvard Map Collection has developed a digital exhibition featuring The Mercator Globes.

Digital Images

The Harvard Map Collection continues to digitize many of its holdings and these images are available to view on-line in a number of ways.  The Harvard Map Collection Digital Maps Virtual Collection is a search engine for images of maps and atlases.  This collection can be searched by title, author, subject or genre and every result will include a link to an on-line image.  Some complete map series are included, and they can be searched as described, or browsed using index maps.  Many of the maps have been georeferenced for use in a Geographic Information System, and links to these images and their associated GIS files can also be found through the Virtual Collection.

For more information on retrieving images from HOLLIS, visit Getting Started at the Map Collection.

A variety of options are available for print and digital reproductions.

Electronic Atlases

An electronic atlas is a digital collection of maps and sometimes data that share a common theme. Many electronic atlases are interactive and incorporate multimedia such as audio, video, and animation. The Harvard Map Collection holds a wide variety of electronic atlases ranging from road atlases to trip planners to historic atlases to state and country tourism guides.

Geospatial Data Sets

Geospatial data are electronic geographic data with real-world coordinates. These data are generally used in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), cartography, and remote sensing software packages. The Map Collection's geospatial holdings include U.S. Census Bureau, Boston metropolitan area, and many worldwide and foreign data sets. While some of our GIS data is available in the Harvard Geospatial Library (HGL), users are encouraged to speak with the digital cartography specialist for assistance.

Return to Top