Mapsco donates archives
to UTA Libraries

Mapsco, a Dallas-based company specializing in the creation and publishing of city maps for the past 50 years, has designated UTA's Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library as the company's archives.

Mapsco has begun transferring its historical maps and records to UTA so the University can preserve, catalog and provide public access to them. Also, the company has made a cash donation to create a cartographic history laboratory on campus.

The laboratory, a joint project of the History Department, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography, UTA Libraries and Distance Education Center, will digitize maps as large-format, high resolution iMagazinees and distribute them in multiple formats.

"The laboratory will play a vital role in UTA's efforts to educate students about cartography and cartographic history at the undergraduate and graduate levels," said Gerald Saxon, associate director of libraries.

The Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library is a national resource containing more than 6,000 maps dating from the late 15th century and boast more than 2,000 historical atlases and geographies. The Mapsco archives will enhance the University's collection of 20th century maps in particular and recognize Mapsco as an innovator of cartographic products during the past half-century.

Mapsco formally presented its archives to the University in October, and the UTA Libraries exhibited material and artifacts from the collection through December.

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