The Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona and Universitat de Girona's map libraries: Trend, present situation and perspectives

The people in charge of the map libraries in the UAB and the UdG, which existence is not so short, have perserved during the years in guaranteeing them documental services specializing in spatial analysis works, This choice of objectives has meant rejecting other alternative models such as: a) the map library as a storage of historical maps with catalogues similar to those in normal libraries, and b) the map library as a pedgogical ressources center with materials to support practical classes. Without resigning the second alternative, the authors defend the map library model containing all kind of geological documentation to a wide range of specialities: geology, environmental sciences, etc., and with consistent research instruments.