Useful hints on finding maps in the Robinson Library

Small Scale Maps

Small scale maps, such as Ordnance Survey and Geological Survey One inch and 1:50,000 maps are shelved in number order in the appropriate map cabinets or metal drawers. Printed lists and index sheets on top of the map cabinets should be used to find the sheet number of the map required.

Larger Scale Maps

Two and a half inch to the mile maps (scale 1:25,000) and six inch to the mile maps (scale 1:10,000 and 1:10,560) are shelved by National Grid Number. In order to find the sheet number, you should use one of the gazetteers located on the nearby Atlas shelves e.g. Ordnance Survey Gazetteer of Great Britain to find the Grid Reference of the place you are looking for. You should be able to work out the sheet number from this.

Examples

Finding a map in the two and a half inch to the mile series
To find a map of Morpeth at 1:25,000 scale:
  • Look up Morpeth in a gazetteer and note the 4 figure Grid Reference - in this case NZ 19 86
  • The National Grid finding letters and the first and third numbers of the Grid Reference make up the sheet number - in this case NZ 18
  • NB Most sheets in the series of 1:25,000 maps (Pathfinder series) are double sheets so the sheet covering Morpeth is actually numbered NZ 08/18.
  • Find the sheet in the relevant map cabinet.
  • You will see that the sheet is divided by Grid lines running up and across the map. Morpeth can be found on the map at the point where Grid Line 19 (Easting 19) meets Grid Line 86 (Northing 86)
Finding a map in the six inch to the mile series
To find a map of Morpeth at 1:10,000 or 1:10,560 scale:
  • Follow the above instructions for finding the sheet number of the map from the Grid Reference - in this case NZ18.
  • In the case of six inch maps, four sheets are the equivalent of sheet NZ 18 in the 1:25,000 series, i.e. NZ 18 NE, NZ 18 NW, NZ 18 SE and NZ 18 SW. You may therefore need to check more than one of the relevant sheets until you find the required Grid Lines.
  • As a general rule when using a four figure grid reference e.g. NZ 19 86, you can work out which of the four sheets you require from the second and fourth numbers of the Grid Reference.
  • If the second number is 1, 2, 3 or 4 the sheet will be a Western Sheet, either SW or NW. If the second number is 6, 7, 8 or 9 the sheet will be an Eastern Sheet, either SE or NE. A second number 0 or 5 will be on the edge of the sheets so you will need to check Eastern and Western sheets.
  • If the fourth number of the Grid reference is 1, 2, 3 or 4 the sheet will be a Southern sheet, either SW or SE and if the fourth figure is 6, 7, 8 or 9 the sheet will be a Northern Sheet, either NW or NE.
  • Again a fourth number 5 could be on either sheet and 0 is not used as a final digit in a Grid reference.
  • Thus from the Grid Reference for Morpeth, NZ 19 86, we can see that the the relevant six inch sheet for Morpeth will be an Eastern and a Northern sheet, ie NE so the sheet number is NZ 18 NE.

Map Resources on the Internet

Quick Reference - Maps and Atlases

Help

Ask Information Desk Staff on Level 4 if you require further information or contact Linda Kelly.