Maps

The library map collection includes historical and current maps on paper, digitised historical maps and our Internet Gateway links to an interesting collection of international and New Zealand maps online. Map resources can be searched in the library catalogue and on the library website.

Maps on Paper

The collection of maps on paper includes contemporary and historical maps of Christchurch and Canterbury, current New Zealand topographical maps, street maps, National Park and track maps, soil and geological maps and nautical charts for local areas. These maps are held in the Aotearoa New Zealand Centre on the second floor of the Central Library.

Digitised Historical maps

The library website has a growing collection of digital copies of historical maps. The digital copies of the maps are from originals held by Christchurch City Libraries, Christchurch City Archives, and from the Cartographic Collection at the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand. This is an ongoing programme to ensure public access to maps that are increasingly physically fragile. The maps feature Zoomify which enables you to zoom into the map in great detail. The digitised maps have a title index. You can also browse through the digital maps in thumbnail form.

Searching for maps in our catalogue

When you are searching our catalogue you can specify that you only want maps by using the drop down material type menu.

First go to the catalogue search page and type in the word or words for the search that you require as above.

Then limit your search by clicking on the arrow at the right of each limiter box (date, language or material type) and drag the mouse to the line that you want. Under material type select maps then click any one of the search buttons (keyword, author etc).

If you are doing a general search without specifying type of material, any map record results will have this icon.

Maps on the Internet

The internet has become a vast resource of maps from Google Earth to a local cycle track map on a website. Our Internet Gateway introduces you to many great online map resources.