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Numerical list/catalogue of the topographical and geological multisheet maps from Silesia Region ( 1850 - 1950 ) in VIRTUA system and development of contents on these maps

El?bieta Dziemia?czuk (Institute of Geological Sciences, Library, University of Wroc?aw)
Ewa Szynkiewicz (Institute of Geography and Regional Development, Department of Cartography, University of Wroc?aw)

© LIBER and author

The modern academic library science is based not only on the model orientated to the readers but also on the model of interaction between all library functions, cooperation among libraries, educational model of a library, and active participation in teaching processes of a higher education institution. The new, educational mission of libraries is inextricably connected with the age of development of IT and communications technologies. The revolution in the scope of IT and communications is displayed in the processes and methods of generating, storing, making available and presenting the information.
In 1992 the Libraries of the Universities in Warsaw, Gda?sk, Cracow and the Library of AGH University of Science and Technology established the VTLS consortium. In 1993 the VTLS integrated library system was implemented in Poland and in 2001 - VIRTUA software operating in MARC 21 format. These programs operate the basic library processes, i.e. collecting, cataloguing, and making available.
In 2003 the Ministry of Science and Information Technology, the State Committee for Scientific Research, by way of the resolution of the Humanities Unit qualified for the execution (for the period of 3 years) the research project entitled 'Research on selected multi-sheet maps of Lower Silesia from the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century as a reflection of changes occurring in this area which are elaborated in VIRTUA computer system'.
The aim of this research project is to computerize and systematize the detailed multi-sheet maps of Silesia in its historical boundaries, which are the most important in respect of science and general usefulness.

Fig. 1. Silesia in its boundaries

These maps are included in three of the largests cartographic collections of Wroc?aw University, i.e. the Maps Department of the Wroc?aw University Library, the Institute of Geological Sciences, and the Institute of Geography and Regional Development.
The area of the research includes topographic maps on scales from 1:25 000 to 1: 300 000 as well as geological maps drawn on these. This is the first time the individual sheets of these maps have been elaborated in such a modern and detailed manner, i.e. in accordance with the international standards in VIRTUA system. This will allow for consolidating within the Wroc?aw University the information about map sheets which were scattered during the Second World War. This information, when available on the Internet, will enable comparison of national and foreign collections. The detailed elaboration of these maps will meet the expectations of scientific circles and will be a great practical tool for researchers in many sciences.
After the Napoleonic Wars, the Congress of Vienna and the Paris Peace (in 1816) new political and state structures were formed in Europe. Silesia was part of Germany between 1742 and 1945. In 1816, the Prussian general staff, which had been formed recently, took over the task of surveying and photographing the country which thus far had been performed by the Statistical Office. This new general staff started works on detailed topographic map for military purposes on a scale of 1:25 000. These were mainly geographic drawings, however, they were detailed enough to meet contemporary military needs.
In 1871 the German Empire was proclaimed. In 1875 the office of the 'Koenigliche Landemaufnahme' started its activities. At that time it comprised of 3 departments: trigonometrical, topographical, and cartographic. This was also the year when the Germans started the work on the topographic map on scale of 1:25 000, i.e. the so called 'table sheets' or Messtischblaetter. These maps were continuously updated and modernized along with the progress of surveying techniques and updating of the assumptions of the cartographic editorial section. This map covered the whole area of Germany. Between 1875-1931 some 5,239 sheets of this map were made. The area of Silesia was presented in 322 Messtischblaetter. They were the basis for drawing thematic maps.

Fig. 3. Index sheet of topographical map 1 : 25 000 of Silesia.

Fig. 3. Example of the scheet Messtischblatt.

This map is not the most updated one but due to its accuracy and detail it is the basis for all scientific field research and is widely used in development planning and other areas of regional economy. It is also applied in geographical research, where it is used in reconstructing and forecasting the changes in the natural environment. Due to its numerous applications and popularity, this map has been qualified for elaboration. Afterwards, the subject matter of elaboration will include the sheets of geological map of part of Silesia which are based on the topographic base of the above mentioned map published also on scale of 1:25 000. The map is very interesting for geologists as source material and inspiration to solve geological problems in modern perspective.
A characteristic part of our work was to create bibliographic records for each section of a multi-sheet map and for each of its subsequent editions and re-issues. The assumption of such a work methodology allowed for multifaceted comparison of the changing content of a map both within one section and with reference to the whole Silesia. Cataloguing of cartographic documents is based on PN-N-01152-5 standard dated 7 March 2001 and the guidelines included in the MARC21 format for bibliographic record of compact forms issued in 2003. The records are introduced to the buffer base of the University Library.
Bibliographic description of cartographic documents concerns 7 areas, which are required under regulations:

Fig. 4. Example of a bibliographical record from the database. (Source: on-line catalogue, Library of the University of Wroc?aw.)

The most interesting changes may be recorded in the series area and the notes area.

Fig. 5. Messtischblaetter, ordinal number, new number; (recorded in field 440). Example from the database.

Fig. 6. Messtischblaetter, ordinal number; (recorded in field 440). Example from the database.

Fig. 7. [Messtischblaetter], ordinal number; (recorded in fields 490 and 830). Example from the database.

Fig. 8. Messtischblaetter, ordinal number; (recorded in field 440). Example from the database.

Fig. 9. [Messtischblaetter], ordinal number; (recorded in fields 490 and 830). Example from the database.

Fig. 10. Topographische Karte 1:25 000, ordinal number and new number (recorded in field 490 and 830).. Example from the database.

Thus, the map can be searched for in the base additionally through the name of the series and the index number: ordinal or new number.
The analysis of the formal content as well as of catalogued maps, which are the record of the changing natural environment, is possible due to the fact that individual sheets of the map were often updated and therefore are rich material for comparison. On the basis of the catalogued map it is possible to analyze the direction and dynamics of changes of selected elements of the content. For example:

Fig. 11. Index scheet of the topographical map 1: 25 000 from the K?odzko Region, South Silesia.

Examples from K?odzko Valley (Polish Kotlina K?odzka) in the south of Silesia:

Fig. 12. Kudowa Zdr. sheet (sheets form the years 1905, 1919). Different drawing of contour lines for presenting a group of rocks.

Fig. 13. Polanica Zdr. sheet (sheets from the years 1883, 1930). Development of an agglomeration.

Fig. 14. Kudowa Zdr. sheet (years: before and after 1919). Development of an agglomeration, and construction of railways.

Fig. 15. Klodzko sheet (sheets from the years 1905, 1919). Change in the course of the river channel, liquidation of bends and meanders.

Fig. 16. sheet Lewin Klodzki - the problem with names (change of geographic names) increased the closer to the Second World War. An example of such practices includes the sheets from the years 1934 and 1937.

The thematic maps of Silesia include also the multi-sheet geological map on scale 1:25 000. This elaboration is known under the title Geologische Karte von Preussen benachbarten deutschen Ländern 1:25 000. Individual sheets were published in the years 1902 - 1940. Detailed analysis of individual sections indicate the basic differences concerning both elements of content and the formal description. The main differences include the title of the map, type of applied topographic base, and the mode of showing the geological picture. The features which differ for individual types of maps make us regard them as separate series. Since we did not encounter any attempts to divide this map into series in available bibliographies, the groups of maps will be called the sets in further characteristics.

Fig. 17. Index sheets of the Geological Maps 1: 25 000 of the Schlesien/Silesis/?l?sk ( produced between 1902 - 1938).

The 1st set is limited to four sheets issued in the years 1902 - 1904. The topographic base for this maps does not have kilometre grid and the longitude is calculated in Ferro system (Fig. 18a). The linear scale and numerical scale are located in the right margin (Fig. 18b). The geological section is not attached to the map. The name of the sheet, located over the frame, do not include the ordinal number. The sheets mentioned do not have a common title.

Fig. 18. Examples of the Geological Maps 1: 25 000 of the Schlesien/Silesis/?l?sk.

The 2nd set is entitled Geologische Karte von Preussen und benachbarten Bundesstaaten (Fig. 19). The sheets of this set were issued in the years from 1910 to 1924. The topographic base neither has a kilometre grid, and the longitude is calculated from the Ferro meridian. Only the title of the sheet is located over the frame, no ordinal number but sometimes is.

Fig. 19. Cutout of the Geologische Karte von Preussen und benachbarten Bundesstaaten.

The 3rd set is entitled differently, i.e. Geologische Karte von Preussen und benachbarten deutschen Ländern. The sheets in this set were issued in the years 1926 - 1938. The most important characteristic of this set is its modern perspective on geological relations. Apart from the title, individual sections also have subsequent ordinal numbers. The topographic bases do not have a kilometre grid and the geographic coordinates are given in the Ferro system. The exceptions to this principle comprise three sheets: The above mentioned sheets were drawn on the topographic bases with kilometre grid. In the right upper corner there are two index numbers: ordinal and new number. Prime meridian: Greenwich.

Fig. 20. Cutouts of the Geologische Karte von Preussen benachbarten deutschen Ländern.

The 4th set is also entitled in a different way than the ones described above, i.e. Geologische Karte des Deutschen Reiches. It was issued in 1940. It is characterized by the fact that there are two index numbers: the old one and the new one. The number of sheets in this set is not too large (12 sections) and in reference to the discussed geological map they are the second, more advanced edition. The topographic base has kilometre grid and the geographic coordinates are given in the Greenwich system. The geological pictures of individual sheets in this set differ from their first editions in the route and shape of geological sections. In the second edition of the Miedzianka (Kupferberg) sheet, the direction of the amphibolite section near the Bóbr river was changed. The internal structure of this section was presented as more complex, especially in contact with quartz and muscovite slate at its eastern boundary.

Fig. 21. Cutouts of the Geologische Karte des Deutschen Reiches.

As a result of the above analysis, the register of records of geological maps will take into account in the series area four separate sets, and the basic differences between them will be reflected in notes area.
The result of the undertaken works will be an electronic catalogue of 2,400 records of topographic maps of Silesia (the second half of the nineteenth century - the first half of the twentieth century). The works will be continued to archive in a graphic form the catalogued maps in the VIRTUA electronic system.

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