Searching the UB Libraries Map Collection

The UB Map Collection has maps, charts, aerial and satellite photos, and online maps of Western New York, including Erie, Niagara, and other local counties. These maps are in a variety of scales and describe many different aspects of the city and the region.

Most of these maps are located either under a Library of Congress call number, or under the U.S. Government, Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) numbering system. All of these maps may be located using the Libraries' Catalog, and then retrieving the desired map from the map drawer.

Search Tip: When searching the Libraries' Catalog you may find listings using the following search tip: Enter a subject search, beginning with erie county n y--maps. The following is an example:

s = erie county n y--maps

This will locate almost all Erie County maps. To locate topographic maps of Buffalo, enter the following:

s = buffalo n y--maps topographic

Among this collection are what are referred to as historical topographic maps. These are older topographic maps (1895-1950) of New York State that are kept in the Map Collection Reference Room. Searching the Libraries' Catalog is the same as for regular topographic maps.

You may also perform an advanced search using the "Maps" format to limit your search to only maps and atlases.

What's "in the back"?

While most maps in the open floor of the Map Collection may be checked out and removed from the library, we do have a small collection of rare and fragile local maps and atlases in the locked map office. Please contact the Map Librarian for assistance with this collection, which includes the Sanborn atlases (see below), aerial photographs and local sheet maps. 

We are in the process of inventorying our county and regional atlases located in the map office, and will be updating the below table with additional information to help researchers identify potentially useful maps in our locked area.