Maps break down our inhibitions, stimulate our glands, stir our imagination, loose our tongues. The map speaks across the barrier of language; it is sometimes claimed as the language of geography.

CARL O. SAUER
"The Education of a Geographer," 1956

Let us look at the map, for maps, like faces, are the signature of history.

WILL DURANT

The division's general collections, which number over 3.5 million map sheets, include both single-sheet maps and multi-sheet map series.

Single-sheet maps, which provide worldwide coverage at small and medium scales, are primarily general purpose and thematic maps of continents, countries, states, counties, and cities.

Multi-sheet map sets, which are usually prepared at large and medium scales, also provide worldwide coverage, normally at the country and state level.