About MALT

Map & Aerial Locator Tool

The Map and Aerial Locator Tool (MALT) is an open-access, interactive discovery tool for finding maps and aerial photographs. MALT combines a visual map interface with a verity of location-based search options to help users identify and access materials from aerial flight runs, individual maps, map series and institutional collections.

Open MALT

Overview

MALT provides multiple search methods for exploring georeferenced collections of aerial imagery and maps. The interface supports discovery and exploration by allowing users to view item footprints and map overlays, with links to archive pages where materials may be accessed or downloaded. MALT also supports the reverse workflow, enabling users who begin on archive pages to view items in a spatial context and identify additional resources that cover the same location.

Discovery by Location

Maps and aerial photographs are often difficult to locate through traditional library catalogs. Many collections are described at the series level, with individual map sheets or photo frames referenced only through index maps, photomosaics, or collection-specific numbering systems. Subject terms used in catalogs and image databases also tend to lack geographic precision, making it difficult to search for materials tied to specific locations or areas of interest.

MALT addresses these limitations through spatial indexing, associating aerial imagery with geographic footprints and georeferencing maps. This allows users to identify materials based on where they cover without needing prior knowledge of collection structures or cataloging conventions to search.

Map-Based Exploration

MALT presents search results visually through an interactive map. Users can:

  • Navigate to an area of interest and view available map and aerial imagery coverage.
  • Display item footprints to understand geographic extent and overlap.
  • Filter and browse materials by location and time attributes.
  • Access item-level metadata by follow links to digital content or holding institutions.

This approach supports both targeted searches for specific sites and exploratory browsing across regions and time periods to facilitate reserach of changes to the land scape, parcels and regions.

Collections and Scope

MALT includes maps and aerial photographs from participating institutions and repositories. While individual items may be held by different libraries or archives, the interface allows users to discover what materials exist for a given location regardless of where they are stored. The platform is designed to accommodate additional collections and institutions, supporting a broader view of spatial holdings over time.

Access and Use

MALT is intended to function as a self-service discovery tool. By combining spatial indexing with links to metadata and access points, it reduces the need for specialized assistance supporting research, instruction, planning, and historical inquiry. Users can identify relevant materials, compare coverage, and determine next steps for access directly through the interface.