If the map cart won't come to the library: Building a bespoke map cart for the Lloyd Reeds Map Collection

Moving large format items always poses a challenge in collections. At McMaster University, the rare maps collection is held on a different level to the Maps Library, which makes moving maps for teaching, reference, and assessment even more challenging. Although the utilization of a map cart would be the apparent solution, such a tool is not readily accessible for procurement from library/archival supplies vendors. This is the predicament that confronted McMaster’s Map Library when looking to undertake a series of collection management projects. In this presentation, we detail the steps taken and lessons learned in creating a bespoke map cart.