McMillan has created four Google Map mashups:

100 Years of Pictorial & Descriptive History of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin by T.A. Taylor. The Map Version.

Scope: Two hundred historic photos were placed on a Google Map. Each location includes a thumbnail version of the photograph, a link to a 2MP version of the photograph and text from the original book describing the photograph.  The Google Map file can also be used by Google Earth, which creates a "fly over" effect. The map is embedded on a page on the McMillan web site, but is ultimately housed by Google.

The photographs and text were digitized earlier in a separate project, so they could be considered "born digital" for this project. Since the photographs and text were already available on-line, creating the map was mainly a matter of cut and paste.

Google automatically thumbnails larger photographs, so the decision was made to use existing thumbnails from the on-line version of the work. If a larger image was used, Google would load it and then shrink it, making loading the map a lengthy process, especially if the map used 200 images at 500 KB each instead of  thumbnails.

A link to our existing on-line version of the photograph gives the viewer the option of obtaining a screen sized image. Most of the images are set at 1600 pixels wide, which is adequate for most personal, educational or non-commercial uses. A digital archival quality version (usually 3000 pixels wide) of the photograph is maintained by the Library, but not stored on-line. All images are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0, which provides for personal, educational and non-commercial use without requiring permission.

Text was added to each photograph from the original descriptive text. Re-purposing the original pre-1940 descriptive text had the advantage of reflecting the historic nature of the photographs, but it is not as clear as newly composed text would have been. When the project is revisited, editing the text to better describe the photographs outside of the context of the original book will be a major consideration.

The project was not without editorial decisions. The collection consists of over 450 photographs, but the decision was made to limit the map to 200 locations. There are technical Google related reasons to stay under 200 locations (mainly that after 200, the map creates a page 2). Additionally, 200 locations in such a small area starts to be confusing and locations overlap each other. Each photograph added value, but that value becomes marginal at some point. Finally, many of the photographs were portraits that could not be profitably placed on a map. They will be used in a future project involving Flickr.

It also matters how much text one includes. Too much text creates an unwieldy map, since the text pops up from and overlays the map. As the Library had a wealth of existing historical text, the decision was made to include all relevant text, since it would be easier to edit it down later than to add to it.

The major work in creating the map was determining the accurate location for the photographs. Some date to the 1870s and all are before 1940. Many depict buildings that no longer exist. In many cases, street names and even streets had changed or disappeared. The descriptive text, contemporary city directories and Sanborn maps helped, but some locations are necessarily approximations.

In marking locations, there is often a slight difference between the satellite and map views. For example, locations placed on the Grand Avenue Bridge seem to be in the river if viewed in satellite mode, but are on the bridge in map view.

Wood County Cemetery Locations and Maps

Scope: All known cemeteries (over sixty) in the county were placed on a Google map.  For each cemetery, the map lists a brief description of the location, though Google map includes a "Get Directions" feature. The map is embedded on a page that includes GPS coordinates. For larger cemeteries, an internal map is included (example). The cemetery number listed is the number used in the cemetery index.

A cemetery map was a natural target for the Library, since genealogy is a point of emphasis for us. We host an card file index to pre-1980 burials in the cemeteries. A list of the cemeteries and their locations was already in use and a physical map existed.

Using the physical map, the description of their location and the satellite view of Google Maps, we were able to locate most of the sites. For a few of the cemeteries, we contacted the relevant church or a local resident to confirm the location. We copied the GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) from Google Maps for users who might want to use the GPS systems in their vehicles.

Bonnie Young Postcard Collection

Scope: A staff member allowed the Library to borrow and digitize her postcard collection. The Library has since added other postcards to the collection, obtained by purchase or donation. The Library mapped only those postcards that had local significance.

As with the Taylor photographs, a thumbnail was included, along with a link to a larger version of the image. Text from the postcard was used as a title, but no additional description was included.

Previous Library Locations

Scope: The four locations that have housed the Library and the location of the former  west side branch.

In 2007, the Library unveiled a mural depicting all the locations that have housed the Library since 1890.  At that time, the Library prepared a brochure with the photographs the mural was based on. The map includes additional photographs not used by the artist. The text and images from the brochure were repurposed and additional photographs digitized. A thumbnail was included, along with a link to a larger version of the image.  

More information about McMillan digital projects