diff --git a/aos/map_utils.h b/aos/map_utils.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..5b85091
--- /dev/null
+++ b/aos/map_utils.h
@@ -0,0 +1,30 @@
+#ifndef AOS_MAP_UTILS_H_
+#define AOS_MAP_UTILS_H_
+
+// TODO(aschuh): Template std::map as well.
+// Maps the key to the value, inserting it if it isn't there, or replacing it if
+// it is.  Returns true if the key was added and false if it was replaced.
+template <typename K, typename V>
+bool InsertIntoMap(std::map<K, V> *my_map, const K &key, const V &new_value) {
+  std::pair<typename std::map<K, V>::iterator, bool> element;
+  element = my_map->insert(std::pair<K,V>(key, new_value));
+  if (element.second == false) {
+    element.first->second = new_value;
+  }
+  return element.second;
+}
+
+// Gets the value for the key from the map.
+// Returns true if the key was found and then populates *value with the value.
+// Otherwise, leaves value alone and returns false.
+template <typename K, typename V>
+bool GetFromMap(const std::map<K, V> &my_map, const K &key, V *value) {
+  typename std::map<K, V>::const_iterator element = my_map.find(key);
+  if (element != my_map.end()) {
+    *value = element->second;
+    return true;
+  }
+  return false;
+}
+
+#endif  // AOS_MAP_UTILS_H_