This document provides instructions for finding the name of a USGS topographic quadrangle map and locating the corresponding physical map in the Owen Science & Engineering Library map room at Washington State University. It explains that maps are divided into quadrangles, and the first step is to determine the quadrangle name either by searching online at the USGS website or by using index maps located in the library. Once the quadrangle name is found, the physical map can be located by searching the map cases alphabetically by name, not by state. Instructions are provided for removing maps from the cases without disturbing the organization, as well as scanning, copying and properly citing the maps. Contact information is included for librarian assistance if needed.

1. TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
3rd Floor Map Room
Owen Science & Engineering Library
Washington State University

2. FIND QUADRANGLE NAME
Either Online OR Owen Science & Engineering Library
What is a quadrangle?
Maps are divided into smaller sections
or boxes.
The boxes overlay the map and
are called quadrangles.
The name of the quadrangle is in the
center of each box.
This is the Troy
Quadrangle

3. ONLINE QUADRANGLE NAME DIRECTIONS
•
Go to: http://store.usgs.gov/
• Click on “Map Locator” in the upper left.
• See map with search box on right side of page.
• Here, you can choose search two ways:
•
•
Address or Place
Zoom in to the area on the map
•
The map on the screen is divided into rectangles (black lines). In
the center of the rectangle, there should be a name highlighted
in yellow.
•
That is the name of the USGS topographic quadrangle.
What if you don’t see the quadrangle name?
If you do not see the quadrangle name in yellow, click the circle next to “MARK POINTS”
and then click on the map to add a marker in the center of your area.
• Click “show U.S. topo & digital maps beta” button & wait till quadrangle outlines
appear

4. OWEN LIBRARY QUADRANGLE NAME DIRECTIONS
•
Use index maps to find
your quadrangle name
•
Located on the 3rd floor
of Owen Library
•
Western state map
indexes are hanging on
the wall
•
Choose your state map

5. OWEN LIBRARY QUADRANGLE NAME DIRECTIONS CONT.
•
Boxes overlay the map.
These are quadrangles
•
Find your location
•
The name of the
quadrangle is in the
center of each box
This is the Troy Quadrangle

6. If your index map is not hanging on the wall… Look on Table A

7. STEP 2: LOCATE TOPOGRAPHIC MAP
• Maps organized A-Z by quadrangle
name , not state name
• Cases in 319F include the following
states:
• AK, AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV,
OR, WA, WY
• Alphabetic range for each case on
the top of the case
• Folder index placed inside the cover
of the case
• Choose the file that would contain
your quadrangle

8. REMOVING MAPS FROM CASE
Pull folder halfway up.
Never pull the folders
all the way out of the
case.
Open the folder you
need & find your map.
Pull your map out
Map names are on the
bottom left side of the
sheet.
Use it but do not
refile it
*When finished with folder please slide back into the case.

9. FINDING YOUR MAP: IF IT IS NOT IN THE 12 WESTERN STATES
Canadian maps in case 44
in room 319F
Cases 26-27 in main map
room

10. SCAN/COPY YOUR
MAP
•
Photocopier on 1st floor toward
south windows. You will need
cougar cash.
•
There are scanners available in
map room and 1st floor.
•
•
Scanning instructions are next to
the scanner.
Place the weight on your map to
assure a clear picture
When you are finished with your
map:
• DO NOT refile maps
• Leave map on the table next to
the scanners or at the circulation
desk on the 1st floor.

11. REMEMBER TO CITE YOUR MAP
•
General print map format
•
•
•
Author. Title of the map or chart. Publisher city: Publisher,
Year. Print.
Literary map of Idaho. Boise: Idaho State Library, 1976. Print.
General online map format
•
•
Author. "Title of the map or chart." Chart. Title of the source.
Publisher, Year. Web. Date accessed.
"Verb Tenses." Chart. The OWL at Purdue. Purdue U Online
Writing Lab, 2001. Web. 31 May 2009.

12. DIDN’T FIND YOUR MAP? NEED HELP?
Make an appointment
with a librarian
Come to an open
help session
Betty Galbraith
OR
bettyg@wsu.edu
Chelsea Leachman
chelsea.leachman@wsu.edu
Eileen Brady
brady@wsu.edu