Atlases

An atlas is a book of maps and charts usually with a gazetteer appendix. Atlases are a great resource for geographical information, and often can be used for more than just finding a location.  An atlas can have maps ranging from the entire world down to individual cities in a single volume.  Atlases often include basic reference information and some thematic information, and some include historical geographic information as well.^[1]

Types of Atlases

There are three main types of atlases: current atlases, historical atlases, and thematic atlases. 

• Current atlases are general up to date world atlases.  They need to be frequently updated, and sometimes contain certain thematic data such as population numbers.
• Historical atlases are used to study the changes in the world, such as boundary changes, exploration, the world of ancient empires, layouts of historical towns and cities, and other such topics.  They also often include some thematic data such as migration patterns or historical populations.  
• Thematic atlases usually cover a more specific region or topic, such as a single country, a geological atlas, or a population atlas.^[2]

Weaknesses and Challenges

Atlases do have many weaknesses.  First and foremost, good atlases can be very expensive.  Our world is constantly changing, and so atlases need to be updated accordingly.  This can also make it difficult on a librarian to choose the most accurate and complete volumes. In a time when library budgets are facing cutbacks, an up to date atlas may not be considered the best use of funds. 

Atlases also tend to be oversized in order to accommodate many large maps and charts, which makes it difficult to have them on shelves as well as difficult to store. Atlases and other oversized materials are often stored on lower bottom shelves, where they may be overlooked.^[3]

Examples of Atlases:

Current

The Times Comprehensive Atlas of the World. 13^th ed. London: Times Books, 2011.

Historical

Atlas of World History. 2^nd ed., rev. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2010.

Thematic

National Atlas of the United States, http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ 

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^[1] Reference and Information Services – An Introduction, ed. Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith (ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2011), 557

^[2] Reference and Information Services – An Introduction, ed. Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith (ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2011), 566

^[3] Reference and Information Services – An Introduction, ed. Richard E. Bopp and Linda C. Smith (ABC-CLIO, LLC, 2011), 556