Digital Map Libraries
- American Museum of Natural HistoryVery small collection.
- British Library (Old Maps Online)As of January 2025, the British Library's collections are only available through third-party applications due to a cyberattack.
- Brown University Digital RepositorySmaller collection; mainly Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New England; some limited holdings on Southern maps. To get all maps, you have to filter separately by Genre > maps, Genre > maps (documents), or Format > cartographic.
- CaribMapDigital and digitized maps of the Caribbean.
- David Rumsey Map CollectionDavid Rumsey is a private map collector who has since donated his collection to Stanford University. He collected widely from around the world.
- Harvard Art MuseumVery limited collection (circa 100 objects).
- Heidelberg University LibrarySmall collection of digitised materials, broad range.
- Indigenous Digital Archive**Currently down; see DigiTreaties for help with Indigenous map research in the meantime
- Library of CongressThe largest collection of maps in the U.S., and the largest collection of digital maps too. Collection is very broad geographically.
- Mountain West Digital LibrarySearch "maps" in the Subject facet. A collaboration of the University of Utah, Brigham Young University, the University of Nevada, and other western libraries. Strengths in Utah, Nevada, and westward migrations.
- National Library of WalesNo good way to search for maps only, since "Map" subject excludes many cartographic results. For specific map collections, see: https://www.library.wales/discover-learn/digital-exhibitions/maps.
- Newberry Library of ChicagoStrengths in Chicago & the Midwest, American Indian history, and the U.S. West. Search functionality is somewhat confusing. Ask for help if you need it!
- New York Public Library Maps & AtlasesVery large collection, strengths in New York City and New York State, as well as U.S. atlases.
- Norman B. Levanthal Map Collection, Boston Public LibraryVery large collection, strengths in New England. Large collection of maps related to the American Revolution.
- Osher Map Library, University of Southern MaineUniversity of Southern Maine. Strengths in New England, especially northern New England.
- The Portal to Texas HistoryGood for TX maps; run by University of North Texas
- Princeton University LibrariesIncludes maps from PU Digital Maps and Geographic Portal; difficult to search for specific maps
- Smithsonian InstituteExpansive collections across U.S.A.; some items that aren't maps may come up when you search for maps.
- University of Illinois Library Digital CollectionsGood for Illinois maps and railroad maps; maps grouped in clickable collections, should start with Historical Maps Online (click globe above)
- Virtual Globes MuseumA collection of digitized globes, not flat maps.
- WikidataLast resort; overwhelming, image quality varies, and copyright becomes an issue
Map Search Engines
- Arcanum MapsMaps of Europe in the 19th century.
- Big Ten GeoportalSearches across collections at U. of Illinois, U. of Indiana, Penn State, and the rest of the Big Ten libraries.
- EuropeanaSearch, save and share art, books, films and music from thousands of cultural institutions [across Europe]
- Internet ArchiveGood for everything, but can be overwhelming.
- Old Maps OnlineSearches across multiple libraries at the same time, including USGS, NYPL, David Rumsey, LOC, and more. Zoom into your area of interest on the background map.
- topoViewAn easy-to-use application for browsing the Historical Topographic Map Collection and US Topo maps.
- GeolodeCreated and managed by Keith Jenkins, GIS/Geospatial Applications Librarian. The historic maps filter displays collection of historic maps.
