BTAA-GIN Collection Stories

By Adonna Fleming & Margaret Mering Featured Item: Nebraska Public Fishing Spots What is the item? This data layer shows public fishing areas in Nebraska. It includes Nebraska Game and Parks Commission-owned or leased state recreation areas, wildlife management areas, as well as waters owned by the federal government, Corp of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Power and Irrigation companies, cities, and private entities. What BTAA Library submitted the item? University of Nebraska-Lincoln Interesting tidbits: For a landlocked state, Nebraska has a lot of fishing spots. 559! Nebraska is home to over 100 species of fish, 78 of which are presumed to be native. This map is one of the most popular sites viewed on http://www.nebraskamap.gov/ . Where can I find out more? More information about the top fishing spots and permits is available at Outdoor Nebraska .                        ...

By Kathleen Weessies An interview with Ann Burns, Manager of Geospatial Technology for SEMCOG Name: Ann Burns Title: Manager of Geospatial Technology The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) Website: www.semcog.org What does SEMCOG do? The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) supports local planning through its technical, data, and intergovernmental resources. The work SEMCOG does improves the quality of the region's water, makes the transportation system safer and more efficient, revitalizes communities, and spurs economic development. SEMCOG promotes informed decision-making by improving Southeast Michigan and its local governments through insightful data analysis and direct assistance to members; SEMCOG promote the efficient use of tax dollars for infrastructure investment and governmental effectiveness; SEMCOG develops regional solutions that go beyond the boundaries of individual local governments; and SEMCOG is an advocate on behalf of Southeast Mi...

By Kathleen Weessies Featured Item: Upper Territories of the United States What is the item? Mathew Carey made this map in 1814 at his publishing house in Philadelphia to add to his frequently-updated atlases. The map was made at an interesting time - just after the War of 1812 but before many American settlers had moved west. Michigan, Indiana and Illinois were legally territories at this point. Ohio had become a state 11 years prior. Land we now call Wisconsin and Minnesota were labeled Northwestern Territory. What BTAA Library submitted the item? University of Minnesota The Upper Territories of the United States by Mathew Carey The 6-mile square tract of land negotiated with the Pottawatomies in the Treaty of Greenville. Interesting tidbits: Mathew Carey, who drew the map, ardently supported the idea of the United States building up its Navy. He sometimes used his maps to promote his views, such as drawing attention to the country’s vast inland waters. This map was made shortly afte...

By Caroline Kayko [Europe as a woman] What is the item? This item, titled in our catalog [Europe as a woman], is a version of the Europa Regina appearing in one of the volumes of Sebastian Münster’s Cosmographia. Münster was a 16th century German cartographer, and Cosmographia was the first German-language depiction of the world. The original Europa Regina was drawn by Johannes Putsch, a poet. This map gained popularity in the late 16th century after being included in one of the later versions of Cosmographia. What BTAA Library submitted the item? University of Michigan A close up of the map itself. Interesting tidbits: There are many interpretations of the queen’s pose here. At the time, Charles V controlled the Roman Empire as well as Spain; it’s possible that is why Spain is her head. It is also possible that she is holding the orb (Sicily) and turned to the right in an offering of power to her husband, Charles V. Where can I find out more? Britannica Project Gutenberg Europa Regina...