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Individual Databases

Use these resources on any Chicago Public Library computer or on non-Library computers with your Chicago Public Library card.

CultureGrams » kid friendly teen pick
Find printable maps of countries, states and Canadian provinces. Each report in the Kids, States and Provinces editions has color detail maps as well as outline maps useful for homework assignments. Each of the over 200 country reports in World Edition includes a printable detail map of the featured country.

History Database Search » teen pick
Find thousands of maps illustrating historical political boundaries, events and processes, from ancient Mesopotamia to the Iraq War. Users will find maps under the "media" tab in their search results or may browse for maps by selecting a particular database (for example, American History Online).

Illinois Sanborn Maps »
Illinois Sanborn Maps offers digitized versions of a huge number of fire insurance maps for the state of Illinois, including over a hundred volumes for the city of Chicago. TIP: If looking for a location in Chicago or a nearby suburb, start with the Index to Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps of Chicago and take note of the series (1894-1897 or 1905-1951) and volumes for the neighborhood or suburb you're looking for.

World Book for Students » kid friendly teen pick
World Book offers a range of maps, both current and historical. Run a simple keyword search from the main page to get results that include maps. Click on the advanced search link to limit your search to just current maps, historical maps or both. Or, in the Interactive Earth section, explore a Google Maps/World Book mashup; click down through World Book's traditional, interactive atlas; or print outline maps of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces and territories.