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Western Libraries

Map Collection

Western Libraries contains a collection of maps and other cartographic resources from all over the world, but the main focus is on the Salish Sea, Pacific Northwest and parts of western and northern Canada.

Copyright Information

You must abide by "fair use" guidelines as outlined in U.S. copyright law, Section 107:

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

  1. the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
  2. the nature of the copyrighted work;
  3. the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and
  4. the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

"The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors."

Most materials in the Map Collection are copyrighted. However, United States Federal Government materials (such as materials from the USGS and others) are in the public domain, so no copyright fees or permissions are required.

More information about copyright can be at Copyright Services at Western Libraries.