Map Library, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

This image displays the map, The Map of the United States at the Close of the Revolutionary War. The map has a large visual of the American continent, including the division of the 13 Colonies and Indigenous territories. Surrounding the continent are ships representing historic settlers and maps through time.

This year marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence!
This map represents the United States after the 1783 Peace Treaty signing, putting an end to the hard-fought Revolutionary War.
Map: G3701 .S3 1957 .S5

This image shows the side view of the display case for the “Mapping Heritage: Arts and Culture” exhibition. Presented are two maps on the glass (Atlanta Hip Hop and Harlem Renaissance), a map laying down (Jazz musicians), and books.

This image shows the front view of the display case for the “Mapping Heritage: Arts and Culture” exhibition. Presented are two maps on the glass (Atlanta Hip Hop and Harlem Renaissance), a map laying down (Jazz musicians), and books.

Happy Black History Month! At the Map Library, we are excited to highlight Black excellence from around the world. Our new exhibition, “Mapping Heritage: Arts & Culture” explores just that! Come check it out and expand your knowledge during this significant month!

The image featured is “The Shakespeare Map” by Dr. Levi Fox. The map features images including, a portrait of Shakespeare, his hometown, the Globe Theater, and lists of his works. Throughout the map also has descriptions and information about his life and the locations referenced in his works. https://www.ibtimes.com/day-shakespeares-romeo-juliet-was-first-performed-3133311 https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/romeo-and-juliet/read/5/3/

The Shakespeare Map, created by Dr. Levi Fox in 1970 highlights Shakespeare’s birthplace Stratford, along with other significant locations connected to his life and career.
If you’re curious to explore more of Shakespeare’s historical sites, come visit!
Map: G5754.S85A8 1970 .F6

Images shows a display case of maps featuring the Middle Earth from the Hobbit series. The maps in the image are, “AN ARTIST’S INTERPRETATION OF MIDDLE EARTH” by Peter C. Fenlon and “THERE AND BACK AGAIN: THE MAP OF THE HOBBIT” by John Howe.

Be sure to visit our new exhibition: Fantastic Voyages!
All semester long, we will feature different fantasy adventures highlighted through our maps! We hope we have some UIUC Hobbit fans, because our first exhibition showcases maps and books of the lands of Middle Earth!

The Image presents a 1980's beige and black map of the UIUC campus. Overlapping the map has the words “Map Library”, and ripped paper for a scrapbook effect.

Welcome back UIUC! As you began classes, remember to take a visit to the Map Library for a place to study and discover loads of fun maps.

We are open Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5pm, and located on the 4th floor of the Main Library. Hope to see you soon and we wish you a wonderful spring semester!

Transparent map background with the words "Happy Winter Break" illuminated above

UIUC! You’ve made it through finals—now it’s time to enjoy a well-deserved break!
Please note that the Map Library will be closed from December 24-January 4. However, be sure to visit us in the new year! We’ll be open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Happy Holidays!

Color-coded map marking the different language dialects of native tribes. The map only covers North America.

The 1890 linguistic map was created under the direction of John Wesley Powell, a pioneering ethnologist and the first Director of the U.S. Bureau of Ethnology. This map reflects Powell’s extensive efforts to classify Native American languages and advance ethnographic research.

Map of the Native Tribes of North America, Central America and the Caribbean. The map showcases the Tribes of the area with specific iconography for each location. There is also a border around the map that displays references of people of the tribe.

Display case of the of maps and books focused on the Indigenous peoples and cultures.

Happy Indigenous Peoples Month!
This month, we highlight a powerful illustrated map created by Michael McArdle-Nakoma, published in 2012.
We also invite you to explore our exhibition, Mapping Indigenous Peoples and Cultures!

Reference: curtiswrightmaps.com/product/nati...

The Blood-Red World: Map Showing Territory of the Earth Directly Affected by the Great War Map of the world with red coloring covering the areas the war affected.

The illustration of the Graet European War No. 16 / [Ryōzō Tanaka] A pictorial map of Europe, Asia, and half of Africa with animals representing the areas: Japan (the samurai), China (the pig), and Russia (the bear)

A warning to Thoughtful Americans: How Germany Wanted the World to Look : A Graphic Explanation of Why There is a War World map on which Germany's alleged territorial objectives appear in red.

Mudhike harb haritası Pictorial political map with figures representing countries in Europe. The map is essentially propaganda for the Central Powers wherein Russia appears as an obnoxious drunk and Hungary is shown charging fiercely into battle.

This week, we honor all who have served in the United States Armed Forces. Their courage and sacrifice protect the freedoms we cherish, and we are proud to recognize them as our heroes.
The featured World War I maps are from the Map Library’s own digital collection!

This is dark grey map with a pictorial globe on either side. The globe on the left his purple lines and bright lights showing the places Ozzy Osbourne has toured, and the paths taken while in Black Sabbath. On the globe to the right, orange lines and bright lights represent the places Ozzy Osbourne has toured as a solo artist. The middle of the map states “All Abooooard! The Crazy Train of Ozzy Osbourne 1948-2025". There are also black bats images across the map, a bright moon at the bottom, and a show ticket from Kenneth Field from Osbourne’s no-show concert, and a cross in the center of the map.

Zoomed in center of map

Zoomed in left globe of purple lines and bright lights showing the places Ozzy Osbourne has toured, and the paths taken while in Black Sabbath

Zoomed in right globe of orange lines and bright lights represent the places Ozzy Osbourne has toured as a solo artist

All aboard! The Crazy Touring Train of Ozzy Osbourne has arrived at the Map Library! The map showcases the cities around the world where Ozzy Osbourne has rocked the stage most often.
This map was created by @Kennthfield, a contribution to his legacy.
Map: G3201.A85 2025 .F53

[Map: G3701. E63 1938 .C53] This Map is an 1938 Albert Richard football map. It is a multicolored pictorial representation of the U.S football teams within each conference section of the country. It also has the official nicknames of all of the football teams in the country. The map is bordered by the team flags, while images of a stadium, tickets, and a kicker are placed around the country.

It’s Football Season! Another game, another win!
In the spirit of football, check out our 1938 Albert Richard Football map! This map showcases college football teams around the country, major conferences held, and the nicknames of all the teams.

Can you spot our UIUC football team?

It finals week! I know this is a stressful time for everyone but the Map Library has your back! We are open 8:30am to 5pm Monday through Friday. Come visit for an open space to study solo, or even in groups! We would love to have you and good luck to everyone!

Map: G3201.E11999 .N3 Source: https://www.historyoasis.com/post/original-use-coca-cola

Well, On May 8, 1886, Dr. John Stith Pemberton served the first glass of Coca-Cola at Jacobs' Pharmacy in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. As you can see on the map, Coca-Cola consumption has sky-rocketed across the world since then. Drink a bottle in appreciation of this anniversary!

April showers bring May flowers-or so they say! Rain has still been showering down but don’t worry flowers are too sprouting everywhere you look! This map displays a world of beautiful flowers to encourage you during this spring season. Which flower is your favorite?
Map: G3201.D2 1972 .J6

Are you ready for some Map Library Trivia? Here are 3 questions about our library’s history and collections. Lets see how much you know!
The answers are located on the last slide!

Map: G3804.N4:2F5E646 2003 .M4

It’s Jazz Appreciation Month! This map presents the origin of many of the legendary artists in none other than Queens, New York! Celebrate the vibrant history by popping on some Ella Fitzgerald or John Coltrane and “JAM” out to the great musical icons!

It’s tornado season! This map displays the tornadoes that hit areas of Chicago from 1876-1976. It also reveals that in the month of April, tornadoes were at their highest, especially during the evenings. This is almost identical to the occurrences today, almost 50 years later!
G4104.C6C86 1976 .C6

I hope you had a great first week back! Treat yourself to a visit to the Map Library and discover a series of captivating maps!
We are open Mon-Fri: 8:30am - 5pm, and located on the 4th floor of the Main Library. Hope to see you soon!

Florida Treasure Map

Happy Spring Break! Did you know the most popular place to go for Spring Break is Florida? It is such an iconic place that treasure is even known to be found there! This map shows all of the treasure in the state, dating back to the 1500s, so you could even search to find it!

150 years ago, UIUC opened for students That’s right, on March 2, 1868, the University of Illinois had its first day of classes! The opening class consisted of only 77 students and two faculty members!
This map is a comical version of the olden-day campus.

The first Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans was recorded in February 1837! In our own appreciation of Mardi Gras, here is a vibrant map of New Orleans dating back to 1972! Bring the party over to the Map Library as you come to check them out!

Map: G4014.N5A5 1972 .T72

Cinemaps : An Atlas of Great Movies Q. PN1995.9.M28 D44 2017

Cinemaps : An Atlas of Great Movies Q. PN1995.9.M28 D44 2017

Let’s hold space for the classic musical, based off the legendary Wizard of Oz in 1939! This map displays the journey taken by each character in the Wizard of Oz! Follow along the paths and decide which character you would want to accompany!
Hope a path leads you to our library!

The Map Library has you covered for all things love! With this map you can learn about love languages through history and how it has been expressed around the world! We have plenty of love to share so don’t be shy to come visit!

Display case of maps and books all related to black history.

It’s Black History Month! Come check out our special exhibit that displays the culture and history of black communities around the world! We have a plethora of books, maps, and art all to encourage the understanding of this significant month!

Image of the moon and its lunar formations.

February 6, 1971, Alan Shephard, apart of mission Apollo 14, made history for the only person to hit golf balls on the moon! If you had the chance, what would you want to be the first to do on the moon?
Image: map of the moon and its lunar formations in 1971. G3196.A4 1959.S81

Welcome back UIUC! Hope you had a great start of the semester! Stay as warm as you can and come visit, Mon-Fri: 8:30am-5pm, to explore our unique maps!

Photo of title pages of 3 editions of Comparative Atlas published in early 20th century.

On my desk today -- 3 different editions of the same atlas with no easily identified differences except for the edition statement and no publication date!

Photo of Total Eclipse, a map showing the 2024 solar eclipse route over the United States, by Kenneth Field.

On my desk today: Total Eclipse by @kennethfield.bsky.social It made it back to Champaign safely from #NACIS2024 in Tacoma ... but a month later still is a little bit curled from being rolled in my suitcase.

Photo of News-Gazette 2024 presidental election maps

On my desk today -- to catalog and add to the collection. We collect data-driven maps fairly aggressively from @nytimes.com and @washingtonpost.com but maps appear rarely in the local paper.

Photograph of exhibit case showing 5 maps published during the 1920s

Not everything fit in last Friday's exhibit for the 100th anniversary celebration of the #UIUC Main Library building -- so we put together a supplemental exhibit in the Map Library.