Location and Directions

Location

The Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education is located on the Portland campus of the University of Southern Maine. It occupies the three-story building at the corner of Forest Avenue and Bedford Street; it is attached, on the first floor, to the seven-story Albert Brenner Glickman Family Library. The public entrances -- to the reading room, the gallery, and the Cohen Education Center -- are all off the arcade that runs across the front of both library buildings.

The arcade itself can be accessed directly from Bedford St or from the University Commons.

 

Access by Public Transport

Both METRO routes 2 (Riverton) and 4 (Westbrook) serve the junction of Forest Avenue and Bedford Street. For more information about Greater Portland Transit, please consult the METRO website.

 

Access by Private Vehicle

Public parking is available in the USM parking garage, across the University Commons, from the libraries. The entrance to the parking garage is off Bedford St.

From the North: take I-295 South to Portland, to exit 6B, signposted "Forest Avenue North." After merging onto Forest Ave., immediately cross into the far left lane. Turn left at the first intersection, onto Bedford Street. Directly after the Abromson Center (on the left, with skywalk across to the rest of the campus), turn left (one-way) to enter the parking garage.

From the South: take exit 44 from I-95 (Maine Turnpike) North to I-295 North and Portland. Get off I-295 at exit 6B, signposted "Forest Avenue North." After merging onto Forest Ave., immediately cross into the far left lane. Turn left at the first intersection, onto Bedford Street. Directly after the Abromson Center (on the left, with skywalk across to the rest of the campus), turn left (one-way) to enter the parking garage.

From the West (1): take State Route 25 East towards Portland; it merges with Brighton Avenue. USM is located on the left of a six-way intersection half a mile beyond the railroad tracks. Proceed straight through the intersection and follow the road as it bears to the left, becoming Bedford Street. Turn right directly before the Abromson Center to enter the parking garage.

From the West (2): take State Route 302 east to Portland; the road becomes Forest Avenue at the Westbrook town line. Follow Forest Avenue for approximately 4 miles, turn right onto Bedford Street, after Oakhurst Dairy. Directly after the Abromson Center (on the left, with skywalk across to the rest of the campus), turn left (one-way) to enter the parking garage.