As an introduction to the Symposium on Glacier Mapping and for the purpose of providing a basis for further discussion, the requirements in various types of glacier maps are differentiated. Most maps of glaciers are not made specifically for glaciologists but as part of a general geographical survey program. It is very important that glaciologists define their most urgent requirements, remembering that glaciers normally cover a fairly small percentage of a total area to be mapped. Standardized symbols would be good; standardized content might be better. The glaciological content has to be adapted to the scale of the map and to the needs of specialized research.