The University of Washington Libraries Map Collection is the premier cartographic collection in Washington State, with over 267,000 map sheets, 80,000 aerial photographs, and 2,000 atlases. The collection includes the following types of maps: base and outline, geologic, historic, road, topographic, demographic, environmental, hydrologic, property, seismologic, soil, urban planning, and nautical and aeronautical charts. We also collect electronic mapping products and digital geospatial data for use with GIS software.
The Map Collection is a browsable self-service collection that is open to the public. Many of our materials can be found in the UW Libraries Catalog -- to learn more, use our Tips for Searching the Catalog for Maps.
The Map Collection's primary clientele is University of Washington students, faculty, and staff, but as a depository library it also provides access to U.S. government maps and mapping data to members of the general public.
Map Collection staff provide reference services to all Map Collection patrons, and our librarians are available for classroom instruction and collection orientation. Our GIS specialists identify, acquire, and provide access to digital geospatial and statistical data for use in GIS, and help you determine your data needs and assist with locating the data to suit those needs.
For more specific information on some of the services we provide, visit the following pages:
If you need specific reference and research assistance, please call (206) 543-9392 or email us at maplib@u.washington.edu.
The Map Collection is located in the basement of the Suzzallo-Allen Library.
To reach the Map Collection from the ground or first floors of Suzzallo-Allen, take the Allen North elevators to the basement and follow the signs to "Maps." See this floor plan of the Map Collection for details.
For general information about access to library materials for persons with disablilities, please visit the UW Libraries' page regarding disabled access.