Abstract
Using GIS to Model Cartobibliographic Data
Track: User Presentations - Research
Authors: Jon Jablonski, Christopher Thiry
A classic problem in map and data libraries is the unit of analysis problem: does you create metadata for the set of maps, or each sheet in a set? The widespread adoption of GIS in libraries has only exacerbated this problem: Do you describe the CD-ROM, or each of the 200 data layers on the CD-ROM?
By carefully analyzing the data in hand, as well as the needs of the library users, libraries can create metadata, interactive online maps, and plain-old library catalog records that both increase the relevance of analog collections and the discoverability of digital collections. Furthermore, once aggregated, the collection can be analyzed to promote data acquisition. The authors present examples from the domains of remote sensing and geologic mapping, as well as a technique to rapidly assess large corpora of materials.