GIS and research libraries : one perspective

Abstract

The Association of Research Libraries (ARL), in partnership with members of the GIS community, manages the ARL GIS Literacy Project. The project seeks introduce, educate, and equip librarians with skills needed provide access spatially referenced data. The project was formulated in a manner that permits each library design a program unique that institution's needs. The program at Pennsylvania State University is illustrative of how one library has grappled with the introduction of GIS and is an example of an initiative that is flexible enough meet the changing demands on campus and beyond, while utilizing the project as an opportunity experiment with networked-based services. In June of 1992, the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), in partnership with members of the geographic information systems (GIS) community, initiated the ARL GIS Literacy Project. The multiphased project seeks introduce, educate, and equip librarians with skills needed provide access spatially referenced data in all formats and provide effective access selected electronic information resources in library collections. Collaboration with others in the public and private sectors is a key element of the project and has been instrumental the successful integration of GIS services and resources into libraries. The increasing reliance upon GIS by multiple communities, including government agencies at all levels and members of the academic and research community, signaled the need for research librarians become effective users of GIS. It is the mission of ARL and research libraries to promote equitable access to, and effective use of recorded knowledge in support of teaching, research, scholarship, and community Thus research libraries are constantly challenged with the introduction of new services and formats, and with the design of training programs that will assist in the effective integration of new programs and services into research libraries. GIS is one such service. The amount and nature of spatial data, as well as its use by a growing and diverse array of campus departments and other users, presents opportunities for libraries rethink current practice and do so in an environment conducive research, education, and public access. The goals of the ARL GIS Literacy Project were designed meet the current needs of libraries and users while addressing the changes that libraries are facing during a time of experimentation, transition, and transformation increasingly networked-based services. These goals include: * the introduction of GIS a variety of libraries (e.g., public, state-based, and academic and university libraries in public and private institutions) address diverse user information needs; * the development of a team of GIS professionals within the research library community willing lend time and expertise applications, user training, and education programs related GIS; * the encouragement of connections among federal, state, and local GIS users and information; * the promotion of research, education, and the public right-to-know through improved access government information; * the initiation of library projects explore new applications of spatially referenced data and evaluate the introduction of these services in research libraries; and * the implementation of programs allow institutions that have invested in networking capabilities leverage the sharing of resources via networks. The ARL GIS Literacy Project provides a framework and a forum for research libraries introduce, experiment with, and engage in GIS activities. ARL, in cooperation with GIS vendors and users, solicits donations of GIS software and data, organizes regular training sessions for project participants, sponsors an electronic mail list, and works with government agencies on GIS programs and related issues. …

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