Government Documents - Maps, Posters, and Images

Maps and Geographical Resources

Kenyon receives topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These maps are housed in horizontal cases on the first floor of the library, near the Chalmers Instruction Classroom. You'll find an assortment of maps of the United States, with special emphasis on the Midwestern states, as well as a collection of general and world maps. You may also wish to browse the collection of atlases on the second floor near the Information Desk or the electronic resources below.

Note: Many federal departments and agencies produce their own maps. For maps on a particular topic (for example, population maps from the Census Bureau, environmental and climate maps from the EPA, etc.), try a Google U.S. Government Search or go to the department/agency's website.

Perry-Casteñeda Library Map Collection (University of Texas at Austin)
Links to online maps of current and general interest; historical maps; continent, country, state, and city maps; cartographic reference resources; a bibliography of other geography-related sites; and much more.

National Atlas (USGS)
Display topographic maps and aerial photographs, view a variety of U.S. maps (including climate, population, geology, and transportation maps), and assemble your own maps using Map Layers.

The CIA World Factbook (Central Intelligence Agency)
Includes reference maps as well as individual country maps.

Background Notes (U.S. Department of State)
To view maps, go to a country page and click on the link to the country's official name.

Map Collections from the American Memory Project (Library of Congress)
Search the "Americana and Cartographic Treasures" of the Library of Congress. Includes such subject areas as Conservation and Environment, Discovery and Exploration, Military Battles and Campaigns, and Cultural Landscapes.

Citing Maps (Ohio Wesleyan University)
How to cite print and electronic maps in Chicago Style.

Posters, Photographs, and Images

Kenyon also has a collection of posters from various federal departments and agencies, including posters issued by the War Department. Some of the posters are cataloged and can be searched in CONSORT; all are housed with the map collection on the first floor.

To browse other poster collections, as well as photographs, images, and ephemera that round out the historical record and intersect with the federal government's activities and the dissemination of government information, consult online collections and exhibits like the following:

Powers of Persuasion: Poster Art from World War II (National Archives)

By the People, For the People: Posters from the WPA, 1936-1943 (Library of Congress)

Visual Culture and Public Health Posters (National Library of Medicine)

Navy Recruiting Posters (Naval Historical Center)

U.S. National Archives
Historical documents, online exhibits, and the searchable Archival Research Catalog (ARC).

The Library of Congress
In addition to its online exhibits, the Library of Congress is responsible for the American Memory Project, a rich digital repository of "written and spoken words, sound recordings, still and moving images, prints, maps, and sheet music that document the American experience."

Need Help? Contact:

Melanie Maksin
Librarian & Technology Consultant
740-427-5735