Abstract


Using Online Animation for GIS Instruction in an Academic Library
Track: Using GIS in Libraries & Museums
Author(s): Amanda Henley

The work of a GIS librarian is never done. Our duties include collection development, organizing and cataloging spatial data, and helping patrons discover and format data as well as providing instruction. Personal consultations are often the only way to provide first-rate assistance, especially when working with patrons who are new to GIS. Unfortunately, training one patron at a time is not very efficient for the librarian and is becoming less feasible as GIS continues to gain popularity among a variety of disciplines.

This presentation outlines one approach that allows GIS librarians to train many patrons simultaneously, even after-hours. By creating animated clips that answer frequently asked questions, librarians can transform the library Web site into a virtual instructor. This instructional technique empowers patrons, providing them with the means to learn GIS on their own. Meanwhile, librarians save time and still provide excellent service.

Amanda Henley
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University Library
Davis Library, CB# 3922
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890
US
Phone: 919-962-1151
E-mail: ahenley@email.unc.edu