Readex Enhances Access to 50,000 Historical Maps within the U.S. Congressional Serial Set

Readex Enhances Access to 50,000 Historical Maps within the U.S. Congressional Serial Set Detailed cartographic records will help users explore the remarkable maps in this online resource NAPLES, Fla./Thursday, June 14, 2007­Readex , a leading publisher of online historical collections, announced today that it will provide customers with superior access to the more than 50,000 maps within its definitive digital edition of the U.S. Congressional Serial Set, 1817-1980. Readex is adding authoritative cartographic records monthly and will continue until every Serial Set map carries a comprehensive record. “Using the same acclaimed thesaurus employed for indexing Serial Set publications, these completely new map records will provide students and scholars alike with fresh opportunities to make original discoveries on diverse aspects of U.S. and world history,” says August A. Imholtz, Jr., Readex Vice President for Government Documents. “We are pleased that Donna P. Koepp, recently retired from the Harvard College Library, has joined our indexing division, bringing unparalleled cartographic knowledge and experience to this important initiative.” Featuring thousands of maps enabling users to visualize the history and territorial growth of the United States, the wealth of cartographic information in the U.S. Congressional Serial Set will now be easy to search and browse. Renowned works include the American Civil War Atlas, maps delineating the boundary between the United States and Mexico and John C. Fremont’s map, which was carried westward by scores of early settlers. Also included are many little-known maps addressing subjects as diverse as the spread of cholera throughout Persia, the theatre of war in the Crimea and the river system and dams of the Indian Subcontinent. In addition to adding map records to the Serial Set, Readex has incorporated a new image viewer­the same version found in America’s Historical Newspapers­that allows users to zoom in and easily print all or part of the high-resolution maps and color illustrations. “In recognizing the growing importance of historical maps to research and teaching, we strived to simplify navigation for both novice and advanced scholars,” said Michelle Harper, Readex Director of Product Management. “Patrons are able to navigate quickly from the map image or record to the Serial Set publication for additional context.” About Readex For more than 50 years, the Readex name has been synonymous with research in historical printed materials and government documents. Recognized by librarians, students and scholars for its efforts to transform academic research, Readex offers a wealth of Web-based, primary source materials in the humanities and social sciences. Today, Readex, a division of NewsBank, inc., has established a leadership position among publishers by creating the digital Archive of Americana, a family of online collections that provides unprecedented access to the history, culture and daily life of the United States over more than three centuries.