Academics

Libraries to offer session on marginalized populations in the maps collection

Map showing the distribution of the enslaved population of the southern states of the United States. Compiled from the U.S. Census of 1860. Credit: Library of Congress. All Rights Reserved.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Donald W. Hamer Center for Maps and Geospatial Information, part of Penn State University Libraries’ Research Informatics and Publishing department, will offer an informational session, “Discovering Marginalized Populations in the Maps Collection,” from 3 to 4:30 p.m. on March 4, in W13 Pattee Library on the University Park campus.

Many historical maps were made primarily by and about the dominant white culture of the time. This session will highlight items from the map collection by and about underrepresented groups, including African Americans, Native Americans and women. It will also offer a discussion about the pitfalls of the lack of diversity in these collections and how to view them through this lens when using them. The 30-minute lecture will be followed by a hands-on look at items from the Hamer Center’s maps collection.

Participants may register via Penn State’s Learning Resource Network. There is no cost to attend.

For more information, contact Heather Ross at 814-863-1349 or hdr10@psu.edu.

Last Updated April 15, 2021

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