Old Maps Online - Final Article (report)

Old Maps Online is an online search tool for historical maps. It uniquely draws together map collections from libraries around the world into a single, easy to use search interface. Using cutting edge technology the user searches for old maps by location, narrowed by date, rather than through more traditional catalogue listings. Following a successful early launch in February 2012 its popularity has grown continuously. We have delivered large benefits to end users, but this project, and the two conferences it organized, have also succeeded in raising awareness of the importance of spatial metadata for historical maps within the libraries world. The project aimed to create a single search interface allowing users to find old maps in multiple library collections around the world without having to know either which library held the map or any of the conventional catalogue information such as title, author or publisher, which have traditionally been used when searching for maps. Instead users search using geography, either by typing in a place name or by utilizing the interactive map view, to find maps showing the place they are interested in. They receive instant results as thumbnails with accompanying metadata which each provide a direct link to a full size interactive scan of that map on the website of the host institution. During the project there has been a steady stream of interest from map librarians wishing to become involved. We launched with just five collections but by February 2013 we provided access to nineteen, and were working to resolve metadata issues from several more. As well as creating the Old Maps Online search interface, we aimed to raise awareness of the usefulness of firstly adding spatial metadata to conventional library metadata; and secondly of the need for stable and consciously designed URIs (Uniform Resource Identifiers) rather than URLs as web addresses. Using URIs raises citation rates, increases the readability of the address for humans, and grants longevity to web addresses by removing dependencies on both server software and organizational structures