{"id":47533,"date":"2026-01-30T16:44:44","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:44:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/?page_id=47533"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:06:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T19:06:28","slug":"agsl-collection-development-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/libraries\/agsl\/about\/agsl-collection-development-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"AGSL Collection Development Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Introduction and Statement of Purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

History of the Library<\/em><\/strong> 
The American Geographical Society of New York (AGS) created one of the first map libraries in the United States. Since its founding in 1851, the mission statement of the AGS asserted that the Society was \u201cinstituted for the collection and diffusion of geographical and statistical information.\u201d This mission and the constitution of the Society dictated that the organization would fund expeditions, producing publications, along with supporting a library of materials to assist in their endeavors. The collection of maps, books, and geographical materials helped members, explorers, and even the public. Chartered at the Society\u2019s starting date of October 1851 and beginning officially in 1852 with twelve maps, over the subsequent decades the library of the AGS was filled with books, atlases, and maps from all over the globe. Two notable examples of the collection\u2019s usefulness were the contribution of AGS materials to the American Commission to Negotiate Peace (informally known as The Inquiry) and the Paris Peace Conference at Versailles following World War I and the United States government\u2019s use of the library and map departments during World War II. In 1978, the AGS donated their library and map collection comprising 500,000 items to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where the collection has continued to grow as the American Geographical Society Library (AGSL). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Audiences For, and Programs and Activities Supported By, the Library<\/em><\/strong> 
The AGSL serves a diverse and expansive user community, including scholars across academic disciplines, international researchers drawn to its rich geographic collections, the local community, and a wide array of faculty and students at 51ÁÔÆæ whose research spans global, environmental, cultural, and spatial themes. In addition to its scholarly value, the aesthetic and historical significance of many items also attracts users interested in visual culture, cartographic history, and material studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AGSL\u2019s collections support a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary research, enabling inquiry in areas such as global studies, community engagement, environmental change, spatial analysis, cultural heritage, and urban development. The diverse languages of the AGSL\u2019s holdings offer unique scholarship opportunities.  Drawing scholars from across the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and professional programs, the AGSL provides essential resources for exploring the connections between people, place, and the planets over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Library Strengths and Areas of Specialization<\/em><\/strong> 
The AGSL comprises eleven interrelated format-specific collections. Each of these has its own focus, collection priorities and depths. The formats are as follows: maps and charts, atlases, reference works, rare monographs, serials, photographs and slides, geospatial data, globes, archival materials, born-digital, and facsimiles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Priorities for acquisition and collection depth vary by region and scale, with more detailed coverage for Polar regions (North or South Poles and adjacent areas), Latin America, East Asia (especially China), Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Colonial Africa, and the Great Lakes. In addition to these geographic areas, the AGSL prioritizes the following topical areas: water, World War I, map-making, cartography, topography, manuscript maps, Wisconsin cartographers, underrepresented geographers and cartographers, and areas of ongoing academic focus.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The collection includes both contemporary and historical materials, supporting diverse research needs related to historical research, physical geography, cultural landscapes, urban development, and earth sciences.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Head of the AGSL has the discretion to add materials that fall outside these parameters due to scarcity, uniqueness, opportunity, and donor engagement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formats<\/em><\/strong> 
Maps and Charts<\/em> 
The AGSL maintains a comprehensive collection of topographic, nautical, geologic, thematic, world, country, regional, and city maps at a wide range of scales, with global coverage and particular depth in regions as mentioned above. Map sets are collected with the same focuses and at various scales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Formats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Atlases\u202f<\/em> 
The AGSL collects major world, regional, national, and state atlases (with an emphasis on the Midwest), both general and thematic, with an emphasis on current collecting priorities and the research needs of 51ÁÔÆæ.\u202f 
\u202f<\/em> 
Reference Works<\/em>\u202f 
The AGSL maintains a collection of reference materials relating to geography and cartography. Priority is given to materials which support the other format-specific collections and the research needs of 51ÁÔÆæ. The AGSL reference collection includes titles not specifically published as reference works, but whose reference value precludes their circulation.\u202f 
\u202f 
Monographs\u202f<\/em> 
The monographic holdings comprise titles of broad regional, geographic, and topical scope. The library collects rare and antiquarian works to support historical scholarship. Current publications will be considered for addition to the Golda Meir Library\u2019s circulating collection. 
\u202f 
Serials<\/em>\u202f<\/em> 
Historically, the AGSL serial holdings have been among the strongest in the field, thanks to active collecting by the AGS in New York and by 51ÁÔÆæ for many decades. The AGSL no longer actively collects serials because the 51ÁÔÆæ Libraries subscribe to databases that support these research needs. 
\u202f 
Photographs and Slides<\/em>\u202f 
Gift collections of photographs and slides are selectively acquired provided full property rights, including reproduction rights, are granted by the donor. To be considered for inclusion, the images must be of broad regional or thematic interest related to AGSL collecting priorities.\u202f 
\u202f 
Geospatial Data<\/em>\u202f 
Geospatial data collections focus on local data (Milwaukee, Southeastern Wisconsin) and research needs of 51ÁÔÆæ. The AGSL provides wide access to publicly available and licensed datasets and metadata through our GeoDiscovery portal. Formats include GIS data (Geodatabases, ESRI Shapefiles, tabular data containing geospatial coordinates), Imagery (digital aerial photography, satellite imagery), and other formats used in GIS and spatial analysis. Digitized maps\u2014especially georeferenced\u2014are an increasing priority. Digitized maps are made available using the IIIF framework via the CONTENTdm platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Globes<\/em> 
The AGSL collects historical and contemporary globes highlighting diverse languages and distinctive visualizations of geographical data (geology, topography, hydrography, etc.). Selection is limited by the public space available for display. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Archives<\/em> 
The AGSL holds various archival and manuscript collections pertaining to geography, history, and the study of geographical thought. Additional collections will be selectively acquired provided full property rights, including reproduction rights, are granted by the donor.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AGSL serves as a repository for the historical records of the American Geographical Society of New York and the Association of American Geographers. 

Born Digital <\/em> 
The AGSL collects born digital materials beyond geospatial data on a case-by-case basis based on current collecting priorities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Facsimiles<\/em>\u202f<\/em> 
Facsimiles of cartographic works are collected for two primary reasons: (1) to provide examples of important manuscripts and rare printed materials which are not in the collection; and (2) to provide less expensive facsimiles of works which are in the collection and minimize unnecessary handling of original materials, especially rare and valuable ones, when these items will be used intensively for study and outreach purposes.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collection Assessment and Needs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Reappraisal, Transfer, and Deaccessioning<\/em><\/strong> 
The AGSL engages in regular reappraisal of its collections to ensure alignment with its mission, strategic priorities, and the evolving research and teaching needs of 51ÁÔÆæ. Materials may be considered for transfer or deaccessioning when they fall outside the scope of the collection policy, are duplicated without added research value, are in formats no longer viable for access or preservation, or are in a deteriorated physical condition (see Physical Condition and Other Policies below). Decisions are made by the Head of the AGSL in accordance with ethical guidelines and professional best practices and the State of Wisconsin Department of Administration State Surplus Property Program procedures found here: https:\/\/doa.wi.gov\/ProcurementManual\/Pages\/PRO-416.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gifts <\/em><\/strong>
The AGSL accepts collection donations, however, due to limited capacity and collection needs we have instituted the following rules guiding collection donations: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Prior to gifting a list of items must be provided. The list of items allows AGSL staff to determine if the gift is appropriate for our collection. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. We will not accept gifts on a walk-in basis. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. We are no longer accepting gifts of United States topographic maps. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. We are no longer accepting gifts of road maps.  <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Gifts of recent publications (i.e., not rare) will be offered to the main library. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Physical Condition and Other Policies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Physical Condition Criteria <\/em><\/strong>
    1. If despite the best efforts at preservation, an item has physically deteriorated beyond renovation and usefulness. 
    2. If the item poses a preservation hazard to other material (e.g., active mold, insect infestation, water damage, etc.) 
    3. If another copy of the same edition is acquired that is in better condition and is a more favorable candidate for long-term preservation storage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Related Policies and Procedures<\/em><\/strong>
    Reappraisal, transfer, and deaccessioning activities are guided by broader 51ÁÔÆæ Libraries policies, as well as professional standards set by organizations such as the American Library Association (ALA) and the Society of American Archivists (SAA). These policies are designed to ensure responsible stewardship, transparency, and documentation throughout the collections lifecycle.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Procedures for Revisiting and Revising the Policy <\/em><\/strong>
    This policy will be reviewed on a regular basis\u2014at least every five years\u2014or more frequently in response to significant changes in institutional priorities, user needs, and professional best practices. Revised 02\/02\/2026.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n