GIS Partnerships: The Massachusetts Atlas

Abstract: Partnerships between the Harvard Map Collection and a variety of state and local agencies have made the development of an interactive mapping website for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts possible. From the Massachusetts Electronic Atlas, users of all skill levels can now create, manipulate, query, and download customized maps and data. The Massachusetts Electronic Atlas currently holds over 250 GIS data layers and represents a major step in moving sophisticated GIS technology to the Internet accessible environment of the novice. Through innovative partnerships and use of Esri ArcView Internet Map Server technology, this project also represents the continued evolution of library service to provide access to the increasing amount of digital spatial information. In the future, libraries must continue to blend digital technology with traditionally paper based collections and continue to search for new mechanisms to meet the increasing digital challenges and needs of a diversity of users.