The Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library is the steward of the library's world-renowned collection of over 200,000 historic and contemporary maps and 5,000 atlases. Launched in 2004, its mission is to use the collection as a vital educational instrument to illuminate and interpret human civilization and the world in which we live. In preserving and enhancing this collection, we encourage serious scholarship and support classroom teaching at all levels.

Through our website, exhibits, map-based educational programs and public events and lectures, we guarantee free public access to this map and atlas collection for the library's patrons, students of every age, and citizens worldwide..