“I have been searching for an Ann Arbor street map on behalf of a friend who’s thinking of moving to the area. Evidently, they don’t make them any more, but phone maps are so limiting. Used book stores don’t have any. Chamber of Commerce doesn’t. Any chance you know where I can locate one? The AA Observer seems to be connected to everything Ann Arbor! Help!”

While I don’t actively use paper maps myself these days, I do agree with your assessment, dear reader, and suspect so would many of your neighbors. Landline telephones, department stores, film cameras, and yes, paper road maps … all seemingly relegated to antiquity in favor of their digital age progeny.

In our collective and insatiable thirst for automation, packaged as convenience to enhance our quality of life, it’s my humble yet seasoned opinion that we’ve more than often thrown the Champagne out with the cork. Not only do paper maps still “work,” but they remain valuable in ways digital maps can’t possibly be. 

Nevertheless, I’ve been seeing signs of a societal shift toward embracing the analog. Vinyl records and CDs, dumbphones, postcards, heck, just going outside is back in! What I love about your question is how it’s so perfectly suited for this moment.

Related: Your Media Exchange Takes Diggers’ Spot

Soapbox stashed (for now), you still need a map. After doing a bit of research of my own, I was able to find, a little ironically, an online lead. Though the known publishers of the past no longer produce the breadth of street maps they once did, you can still find existing stock with a little desk-elbow grease and some patience. Just go to maps2anywhere.com, search “Ann Arbor,” and you’ll find five quality products ranging from folded to flip.

But wait! There’s more! Your story behind the story got me curious about how best to help a friend clearly see what an irresistible community we’ve got waiting for them. So, because the AA Observer is indeed connected to everything Ann Arbor, I already had the inside track to what I hope is some supplementally helpful information for your friend. I rang up my good pal, Chad Wiebesick at Destination Ann Arbor, for specifics.

Chad, with his typical exuberance, offered up their printed visitor guide and specialty brochures, which highlight everything you’d expect, as well as their fold-out walking maps of Ann Arbor’s downtown districts, handy for both exploring in one’s imagination and on foot.

Before you head over to their Huron St. office with a shopping basket though, I’d recommend allowing them to do what they do best. “Our team is always happy to mail materials or answer questions to help new residents discover the best of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County,” says Chad, neglecting to mention, however, what might be the best part—most of their services are complimentary. 

I reckon it’s up to us to keep these services, and our paper maps, in circulation; by asserting our need for them, spending the money when required, and sharing forward. If nothing else, I’ll hope we’ve made for one more happy Ann Arborite on the way!

Happy New Year to all Observer readers! Have a resolution or goal you’d like a little help with? Email [email protected]. Accepting new year specific and Ann Arbor-ish questions for February’s issue.