History 

The units that came together to form the Clark Library have a rich history. See also a general history of the University of Michigan's library system.

The Map Collection history is described below: 

early 1860's The University of Michigan General Library begins to collect cartographic materials. 

1904 Around this time, the General Library begins to consider its cartographic materials as a separate reference collection, and creates a dedicated space on the 3rd floor called the 'Map Room'. The first accession book (containing a chronological list of acquisitions) of cartographic materials is begun. 

1922 Acquisition of the Vignaud collection 

1923 Acquisition of the Hubbard collection 

1970 Construction of the General Library's South Building is completed, and the cartographic collection is moved to a dedicated space on its 8th floor called the 'Map Library'. Soon after the General Library's name is changed to the Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library. 

2006 Acquisition of the Clinton collection 

Fall 2011 Opening of the Stephen S. Clark Library for Maps, Government Information & Data Services, which houses the Map Collection, Spatial & Numeric Data Services (SAND), and the Government Information Center. It will be located on the 2nd floor of the Hatcher Graduate Library's South Building.