Redefining the NSDI: A Needs Analysis of a Geospatial Data Clearinghouse and Its Role in Moving the NSDI into the 21st Century

Author: Maurie Caitlin Kelly
Organization: Pennsylvania State University/Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access Clearinghouse

130 Land & Water Building
University Park, PA 16802
USA

Phone: 814-863-0104
Fax: 814-865-3378
mck4@psu.edu

The National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) is in a period of transition. In its current state, the NSDI is in danger of becoming obsolete due to advances in commercial geospatial data warehouses and waivering funding. The Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access clearinghouse is currently undergoing a detailed needs analysis and examination of functions and services that will expand the current concept of an NSDI clearinghouse, make these clearinghouses sustainable, and provide the basis for future growth in the NSDI.

A discussion of the needs analysis will be presented and will cover the following areas:

Best Practices of Clearinghouse Sites
An evaluation of existing clearinghouses in relation to services, functions, search mechanisms, and format/software used.

Specific issues include metadata development and the use of Extensible Markup Language (XML), data management techniques, interactive mapping applications and development (using ArcIMS), and providing user-centered access and profiling.