This paper arises from a series of projects in the mid-late 1980s and not only demonstrates the role of maps in economic development but highlights the relevance of the map collectio n in the public library to that development. It also demonstrates the parallel demands for cartographic information in geographically disparate areas. These figures are highly significant in relation to the number of map sheets required to cover the areas adequately and also in the cost and space requirements of a map collection. National and other major map collections collect maps exhaustively within their own political areas and seemingly exhaustively elsewhere. Overseas item acquisition is often driven by international exchange agreements.
Academic libraries have to meet the teaching demands and faculty research requirements of the day.
This can lead to short term planned geographical and temporal coverage by the c ollections. This does not allow much scope for maps of the rest of the world in great detail. Acquisition must balance availability, client demand and quantity o f sheets. Major demands in Australia come from genealogists and tourists. All types of library are noted for collecting and retaining any other maps they can obtain accidentally and incidentally.