Manuscript Meet & Greet: Meet the Map

Join Marcy Bidney (University of Chicago), for a closer look at some interesting items in the Library's vast and varied maps collection! Join the Kim-Park Program for the Study of the Book for an in-person, hands-on introduction to some items in the Library’s vast and varied maps collection presented by Marcy Bidney, the UChicago Assistant University Librarian for Distinctive Collections. UChicago faculty began collecting maps in 1927. Now housed in the Library, the collection includes over 475,000 maps, 10,000 air photos, 2,000 books, and hundreds of gigabytes of spatial data. The Map Collection has many topographic, urban, and thematic maps that spans all geographies and time periods. This page will be updated with more information about the specific materials this presentation will highlight closer to the program. About the Presenter: Marcy Bidney, UChicago Assistant University Librarian for Distinctive Collections, is an academic librarian, scholar, and leader in the field of cartography and distinctive collections. She recently received the 2026 Fordham Award for distinguished contributions to the field of cartobibliography from The Royal Geographical Society in the United Kingdom. With more than two decades of experience in research libraries, she previously led the renowned American Geographical Society Library at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she championed expanded public access to rare maps, archival materials, and geospatial collections. Her work has focused on building inclusive research environments, advancing digital scholarship, and preserving historically significant cartographic resources for future generations. This event is open to all with registration and will be held at Regenstein Library. Event attendees without a University of Chicago ID may obtain a library entry pass on arrival by checking in at Regenstein Library’s entry desk and presenting a current, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, CityKey, state ID, or passport to confirm identity. Get more visitor information.