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Ligue des Bibliothèques Europeènnes de Recherche, Groupe des Cartothécaires de LIBER
In the report period there has been no regular professional contact between the members. There has, however, been some exchange of plans and information between the mapcurators at the National Archives and the University Library of Oslo and the National Archives and the Regional Archives of Bergen. For the national progress report, the University libraries of Oslo and Trondheim and the Regional Arcbives of Bergen informed the correspondent about their activities.
From the University Library of Trondbeim we had not had any news for some years. In 1980 a manuscript map catalogue was published. The catalogue was revised and produced on microfiche in 1985. Also, up to 1985, about half of the printed map collection covering the period 1967-1983 was catalogued. The BIBSYS system -a Norwegian automated library system integrating acquisition, cataloguing, loan and retrieval- has been used for cataloguing both manuscript and printed maps. Since 1985, however, the cataloguing of the printed maps collection has stopped because of insufficient resources.
At the University Library of Oslo the work of the map section is restrained by a small staff (1 1/2 posts) and lack of space. By statute all map producing agencies in Norway have been required to hand in one copy of each map produced to the University library here. Accordingly, to receive and catalogue the maps and assist the map users takes most of the working time. In all probability, the map section will soon have a PC for cataloguing, and it is hoped that better cataloguing routines will give more time for other tasks. A scheme has been worked out for the conservation of several hundred maps from the period approx. 1870-1920. These maps are printed on paper containing pulp and must be deacified and restored.
Besides, the map section of the University Library of Oslo now intends -in cooperation with the National Ordnance Survey (Statens Kartverk)- to proceed with systematic photographing of its manuscript mapcollection. A slides collection will be established for the users and further reproductions can easily be provided.
In 1988 the University Library of Oslo has acquired a special security store room where proper temperature and air humidity is maintained. Especially valuable map material has been moved to this store room.
In the National Archives the map collection has proper storage facilities. However, we need better catalogues, conservation and a systematic photographing of our maps. It is agreed upon that this process must be started as soon as adequate resources can be obtained. Today, work on the mapcollection is only part of the map archivist's work, and the time for 'extras' is limited. However, in the report period the mapcollection has had to wait while other archive projects that have been under work for some time will be finished.
The Regional Archives of Bergen decided to build up a computerised catalogue of their maps and drawings in 1986. Earlier the archives had no map catalogue. Now about 800 maps and drawings have been recorded. The Regional Archives has no mapcollection as such, and it has not been possible to search systematically through all the various archives where maps and drawings are 'hidden'. The maps recorded are from archives which the map archivist knew beforehand contained such material, or are maps which the archivists have noted. in passing, when cataloguing the archives. The vast majority are manuscript maps.
A note presenting the catalogue program was handed out during the Uppsala conference.
Alfhild Nakken, National Archives, Oslo