Library & Archives

Laurentian University's Map Library is located in the Parker Building room P325, the Department of Library & Archives are responsible for its map holdings. The Map Library is generally open between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. but may be open later, pending staff availability. To ensure that the Map Library is open during your visit, please contact gis@laurentian.ca.

Jesuit and rare/historical maps are housed in the Archives on the first floor of the J.N. Desmarais Library.

Please forward any inquiries about the collection to gis@laurentian.ca.

Location: P325 (Parker Building)

Hours: vary. Usually open during university business hours. Contact gis@laurentian.ca for details.

Note: the Map Library is jointly administered by the JND Library & Archives and the Geography Department. Inventories of the Geography Department's holdings will be added to this page as they are created.

Canadian National Topographic System (NTS) Maps

"The National Topographic System provides general-purpose topographic map coverage of the entire Canadian landmass. These maps depict, in detail, ground relief, drainage, forest cover, administrative areas, populated areas, transportation routes and facilities, and cultural features." (Natural Resources Canada)

The Map Library holds an extensive collection of 1:50,000, 1:250,000 and 1:500,000 NTS maps and indexes.

• 1:50,000 NTS inventory (CSV) - coverage (PNG)
• 1:250,000 NTS inventory (CSV) - coverage (PNG)
• 1:500,000 NTS inventory (CSV) - coverage (PNG)

Ontario Base Maps (OBM)

"The Ontario Base Map series (no longer in production in paper form) provides general-purpose topographic map coverage of Ontario. Southern Ontario is covered at a scale of 1:10,000, and Northern Ontario at a scale of 1:20,000. [The] maps depict detailed ground relief (landforms and terrain), drainage (lakes and rivers), buildings, roads, railways, and other human-made features. This map series was produced by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources." (University of Waterloo)

The Map Library holds an area paralleling highway 17; that is starting with Sault-Ste-Marie in the west all the way to Mattawa in the east, then north to Lake Temagami and south to include all of Manitoulin Island.

• OBM inventory (CSV) - coverage (PNG)

Joint Operations Graphics - Air (JOG - Air)

"The JOG (Air) maps represents the ground as seen from a pilot's point of view. These include transportation networks, infrastructure, landmarks and cultural features, topography and vegetation, as well, aeronautical overprints such as obstructions, special use aerospace, navigational aids, and related data." (East View Geospatial). Compiled by the Aeronautical Charts Division (Mapping and Charting Establishment, Department of National Defence) in 1991 from best available sources. Aeronautical information supplied by the Canada Centre for Mapping, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources. Coverage at 1:250,000 according to UTM Zones.

• JOG - Air inventory (CSV) - coverage (PNG)

Canada Geological Survey (CGS), Ontario Geological Survey (OGS) and geological maps

The Map Library holds a broad collection of maps from the CGS, OGS and federal and provincial departments of mines. Coverage 1910s to present.

• Geological map inventory (CSV)

Location and hours: see Archives.

Note: Archives staff are not responsible for these map holdings and cannot provide assistance with them. For assistance with the map collections stored in the Archives, please contact gis@laurentian.ca or visit the Borrowers Service desk. To find cartographic materials in archival fonds, please view the Archives' fonds descriptions.

Jesuit maps

The holdings entitled "Jesuit Maps" were donated to the Department of Geography in 2006 by the University of Sudbury Library. These include various types of topographic maps, road maps, city plans and even hand-drawn charts for an approximate total of 120 maps. All items belonged to a Jesuit priest at one time or another.

• Jesuit maps inventory (CSV)

Historical and rare maps

Contains primarily reproductions of historical plans and maps. These reflect early configuration of settlements and cities such as Constantinople, Frankfurt, Jerusalem, Berlin, Copenhagen, Babylon and Goa. Birds-eye and plan view included. Reproductions reflect early cartographic and printing methods.

Several antique maps of Canada and the U.S. are also included.

• Historical and rare maps inventory (CSV)