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Current Geographical Publications (CGP) |
About the AGSL
The AGS Library is one of North America’s foremost geography and map collections. Formerly the library and map collection of the American Geographical Society (AGS) of New York, it was transferred to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries in 1978 following a nationwide selection process by the Society. The Society was formed in the early 1850's to promote the collection and diffusion of geographical and statistical information and to establish and maintain a library with a collection of maps, charts and instruments. By 1870, this library was already recognized as the “largest and most valuable” of its type in the United States. Later, at the conclusion of World War I, the United States Government centered the preliminary work of its delegation to the Paris Peace Conference, President Wilson’s famous “Inquiry,” at the Society’s headquarters so as to be able to draw on its unique resources. Through the years, the collections expanded in response to the Society’s research activities and through donations from its members. As an outgrowth of its early interest in the unexplored regions of the world and its leadership role in the development of modern academic geography and large-scale continental and world wide mapping programs, the Society acquired tens of thousands of items to meet its own needs and made them available to a public in need of geographical information. Today, this tradition of world-class geographic information support continues in UWM’s Libraries, while the AGS in New York actively sponsors programs, publications and events in the field of geographic research, education, and national policy.
The AGS Library presently consists of over one million items, and includes maps, atlases, books, journals, pamphlets, photographs, slides, landsat images, and digital spatial data. The scope of the collection is worldwide. Currently, the AGSL is also the home of the archives of the Association of American Geographers, and an affiliate member of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Earth Science Information Center (ESIC) network. Maps and Charts. Over 500,000 maps of all types covering the world at a wide range of scales. Included are the major national topographic series, navigational charts detailing the earth’s coastlines and a wealth of thematic maps treating the full range of physical and human factors. Holdings date from 1452. More information can be found at our Cartographic Collections page. Atlases. Over 9000 atlases ranging from 15th century editions of Ptolemy’s Geographia to the most modern compilations in paper or digital format. Included are general world atlases, sea atlases, thematic, regional and national atlases, and a large collection of American state and county volumes. Please see our Atlases page for more information. Monographs. The AGS Library’s large monograph collection dates back to 1472 and contains some of the earliest printed geographical works. Broad themes include:
Periodicals. The prominent geographers Chauncey E. Harris and Jerome Fellman concluded that “the leading American library in recorded holdings of the older geographical serials, those which began publication before 1950, is the library of the American Geographical Society ... for recent geographical serials, the American Geographical Society and the Library of Congress have an impressive lead over all the other libraries in the United States” (Geographical Review, 1970). Globes. Collection of 84 globes, most on permanent display. Consists of historic pieces, including a 1613 Hondius globe and an 1831 matched pair of Wilson globes, plus a variety of thematic, special purpose, lunar, planetary and celestial globes. The largest and most spectacular is a rare example of the fifty inch “President’s globe,” produced by the OSS during World War II for President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill. Photographs. Hundreds of thousands of photographs and slides are held by the AGSL. Dating from the mid nineteenth century to the present, these photographs document a wealth of geographic themes such as early western exploration, early aerial exploration, the world’s physical features, its peoples and its cultural landscapes. For more information about the AGSL photos, please see our Photographic Collections page. Digital Spatial Data. The AGS Library actively collects and archives digital data which it makes available to users in a variety of formats. Included are digital base maps at various scales; attribute data on spatially referenced population characteristics, hydrologic units, geology, etc.; and raster images which include synoptic world views, satellite images of various places, orthophoto images and scanned maps. More information about digital spatial data and services is available at our GIS at the AGSL page.
Below is a brief overview of AGSL programs. For more information and schedules of AGSL events, please see our Events and Exhibits page. Current Geographical Publications. This international bibliographic journal has been a non-profit service to the scholarly community since it was initiated in 1938 by the American Geographical Society. Beginning in 2006, the format was changed to include the tables of contents of current geographical journals. Access these tables of contents from the AGS Library's CGP-Contents page. The Holzheimer Maps and America Lecture series. Annual lectures given by prominent world authorities on various aspects of American cartographic history. Series is sponsored by Arthur and Janet Holzheimer. UWM’s Academic Adventurers series. A lecture series featuring members of the UWM community who have interesting tales of their work abroad. Three to four times per semester, on Fridays at 3 p.m. Map Society of Wisconsin. A diverse group of individuals interested in maps of various types who gather at the AGSL several times yearly to listen to talks and socialize with fellow map enthusiasts. Outreach Activities. If you are an educator, consider bringing your class to the AGSL. View the exhibits and be given a commentary on maps, books and photos that relate to your curriculum. Materials in support of UWM classes can be left on display for extended periods for student use. Exhibits. The AGSL hosts a wide variety of meetings, classes, and lectures during the year. There is always a major exhibit in place and usually, an interesting smaller display or two can be viewed.
The AGS Library is open Mondays through Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is located on the third floor of the east wing of the Golda Meir Library on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee campus, at 2311 E. Hartford Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Parking is usually available in the UWM Union parking structure which is entered on Kenwood Blvd at Prospect Ave. The Library is open to the general public, however, many items are non-circulating. A large format photo copier is available for public use. Staff members are available to discuss other photographic options should they be required. Requests for information may be made by mail or e-mail. The digital spatial data reference librarian is available on a daily basis, but appointments are recommended. Comments for the AGSL? Send them to agsl@uwm.edu. |
