Norman B. Leventhal Map Center

Norman B. Leventhal Map Center is a world-renowned research library and museum located within the Boston Public Library in Copley Square, Boston, Massachusetts. The center is named after Norman B. Leventhal, a Boston-based developer and philanthropist who was a longtime supporter of the Boston Public Library and Harvard University. The center's mission is to provide access to cartographic materials and to promote the study of Geography and History through Maps and other visual resources, in collaboration with institutions such as the Library of Congress and the British Library. The center's work is also informed by the research of scholars such as Immanuel Kant, Carl Sauer, and David Harvey, who have written extensively on the topics of Geography, Space, and Place.

● History

The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center was established in 2004 with a gift from Norman B. Leventhal to the Boston Public Library. The center's founding director was Ronald E. Grim, a renowned cartographer and Historian who had previously worked at the Library of Congress and the Newberry Library. Under Grim's leadership, the center developed a robust Collections policy and established partnerships with other institutions, including the Harvard Map Collection and the American Geographical Society. The center has also collaborated with scholars such as J.B. Harley, David Woodward, and Matthew Edney, who have written extensively on the History of Cartography and the Cultural Significance of Maps. The center's history is also closely tied to the development of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the work of researchers such as Roger Tomlinson and Howard Fisher, who have used GIS to analyze and interpret Geographic Data.

● Collections

The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center has a diverse Collections of over 200,000 Maps, Atlases, and Globes, spanning from the 15th century to the present day. The center's Collections include rare and historic Maps such as the Waldseemüller Map and the Blathwayt Atlas, as well as modern Maps and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data. The center also has an extensive Collections of cartographic materials related to Boston and Massachusetts, including Maps of the Freedom Trail and the Boston Harbor Islands. The center's Collections are used by researchers from institutions such as Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Tufts University, and are also informed by the work of scholars such as Doreen Massey, Nigel Thrift, and Gillian Rose, who have written extensively on the topics of Geography, Space, and Place. The center has also collaborated with institutions such as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the Smithsonian Institution to develop its Collections and Exhibitions.

● Exhibitions

The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center hosts a variety of Exhibitions throughout the year, showcasing its diverse Collections and highlighting the work of cartographers, Historians, and other scholars. Recent Exhibitions have included "Boston and the Sea", "The Geography of Slavery in the United States", and "The History of Cartography: A Survey of the Field". The center's Exhibitions are often developed in collaboration with other institutions, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston, and are informed by the research of scholars such as Katherine McKittrick, Ruth Wilson Gilmore, and Angela Davis, who have written extensively on the topics of Geography, Space, and Social Justice. The center's Exhibitions are also designed to engage the broader community, and have included interactive displays and public programs in collaboration with institutions such as the Boston Children's Museum and the Museum of Science, Boston.

● Education and Outreach

The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center offers a range of Education and Outreach programs for students, teachers, and the general public. The center's Education and Outreach programs include workshops, lectures, and Field Trips to the center's Collections and Exhibitions. The center also offers Internships and Fellowships for students and young professionals, providing opportunities for hands-on experience with cartographic materials and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The center's Education and Outreach programs are designed to promote the study of Geography and History through Maps and other visual resources, and are informed by the research of scholars such as Paula Treichler, Gillian Rose, and Doreen Massey, who have written extensively on the topics of Geography, Space, and Place. The center has also collaborated with institutions such as the National Geographic Society and the Association of American Geographers (AAG) to develop its Education and Outreach programs.

● Conservation and Preservation

The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center is committed to the Conservation and Preservation of its Collections of Maps, Atlases, and Globes. The center's Conservation and Preservation program includes the use of specialized techniques and materials to repair and conserve cartographic materials, as well as the development of Digital Preservation strategies to ensure the long-term accessibility of its Collections. The center's Conservation and Preservation program is informed by the research of scholars such as Abigail Quandt, Nancy Bell, and Paul Messier, who have written extensively on the topics of Conservation and Preservation and Digital Curation. The center has also collaborated with institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to develop its Conservation and Preservation program, and has worked with organizations such as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) and the Society of American Archivists (SAA) to promote best practices in Conservation and Preservation.