Gis Collection Development Within an Academic Library

Summary

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Locating usable spatial data is essential for the application and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). GIS data collection development constitutes a core element of GIS services within academic libraries. Managers of geospatial resources require a fundamental understanding of the nature and use of GIS data. In the creation of a GIS collection development policy, library professionals should consider the established collection development policy, needs of the GIS user community, campus GIS services, and library infrastructure. Library professionals also need to employ a variety of online resource guides and spatial search engines and navigate a network of government agencies, academic institutions, commercial enterprises, and GIS professionals to locate, select, and acquire spatial datasets. When making decisions regarding GIS data acquisition, the selector should consider cost, availability, license agreements and distribution policies, documentation, data structures, and software and hardware.

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Gis Collection Development Within an Academic Library

INDTRODUCTION

Since the late 1990s much has changed in the world of Geographic Information Systems (GIS): computer memory has become more accessible, the fields of geographic information science and spatial analysis have spread across disciplines, government agencies and commercial enterprises have developed massive spatial databases, high-resolution satellite imagery has become publicly available, a suite of software has been developed to meet the specialized needs of industry, and the Internet has emerged as a tool for data dissemination and visualization. There has also been a significant increase in new GIS positions within academic libraries as they struggle to develop, maintain, and expand their GIS services. These positions include GIS specialists, GIS/data librarians, GIS/map librarians, digital cartographers, spatial data specialists, and GIS coordinators. Nevertheless, the principles of GIS have not changed all that much over the past few years. Tomlin defines GIS as "a configuration of computer hardware and software [and personnel] specifically designed for the acquisition, maintenance, and use of geographically referenced data" (1990, p. xi). When developing GIS services, three core components must be addressed: computer hardware and software, personnel, and data management (Longstreth, 1995). While all GIS service elements are equally important, a particular emphasis exists regarding the GIS data (Jablonski, 2004; L...

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