Map Room At The New York Public Library Goes Green

The map room of the main branch of the New York Public Library is a wood paneled vault of century old maps of the city, an incredible archive depicting how New York has grown and changed since it was first settled. Here one finds maps by the earliest New Yorkers, showing what one imagined the five boroughs looked like before satellite pictures and Google Maps.

I had my own collection and foolishly threw them out one day of insane house cleaning. How I regret that. Maps are fascinating, spanning time, linking the past and present, showing what no longer exists. Relating us to history, our changing surroundings and what we can preserve for future generations.
I came to the map room last month with a group of guests invited by Green Map System, a nonprofit organization which had submitted 500 “unique editions of green maps,” maps that highlight ecological, cultural, social and green living sites. These maps reflect different patterns of sustainable initiatives, challenges, and practices, as seen through the eyes of the universities, city agencies, nongovernmental organizations, entrepreneurs, and grassroots groups who have created them,” according to a press release.

300 of Green Map’s outreach and education materials were also entered into the archive. And Green Space used the occasion to unveil its new website, GreenMapNYC.org, which highlights the organization’s initiatives across the New York.

“Culminating a three year process, the Green Map Archive now has an iconic home that suits the global nature of this remarkable collection to a ‘T,’ said Green Map founder Wendy Brawer in the release. “As part of the map division’s collection, each thoughtfully designed Green Map will continue to be an important resource to mapmakers, researchers, journalists, and others worldwide seeking models for resilient and sustainable communities.”

Well said Wendy.

The Green Map collection was achieved with the help of my Alma mater New York University, through its “Green Grants” program. University of Michigan School of Information, the New York Public Library and Green Grant Map System’s global office also provided their support. The collection will continue to grow as new editions are published in the 850 cities, towns and college campuses that have participated in “Green” map making.

A “digital resource” is in the planning stages to create high-resolution versions of Green Maps. Until then, there’s the map room, where visitors can peruse the print editions.

For more information, go to www.GreenMap.org.
Or call 212-674-1631.