The Potential ofGeographical InformationSystems (GIS)in Libraries

Presented by Teri Ann Arion

24 February 2006

The Power of Mapping

The origins of GIS were in the overlay method

Before the widespread availability of computers this effect was first achieved using a base paper map and then physically overlaying transparent printouts on top

When did GIS begin?

What is now the GIS field began around 1960, with the discovery that maps could be represented with simple computer programming code stored in a computer for later modification to the map

Computer Cartography

Early versions of GIS involved simple lines representing land features

Later, the concept of overlaying different map features on top of each other was used to investigate patterns and causes of spatial phenomenon

What is a GIS?

Geographic information systems are computer-based systems that facilitate the input, storage, manipulation and output of geographically referenced data

What Drives a GIS?

The driving force behind a GIS is its ability to integrate spatial information with higher end statistical and analytical processes

GIS allows the user to link location or spatial data with tabular data in order to see relationships and patterns to derive patterns not readily apparent to the observer

Why use a GIS?

In a nutshell, if you have a question, a map, tabular data, a computer, and a GIS software application, you can utilize GIS to answer your question

Who uses GIS?

GIS are rapidly becoming the essential tools of analysis at all levels of public- and private-sector management, administration and planning

People with the skill to use GIS are in demand across a broad range of professions, in government, business and nonprofit organizations

How are GIS used?

GIS provides a set of tools for planning, decision-making, operations management and inventory

GIS is now being employed in a wide range of applications including urban and regional planning, environmental risk analysis, forest management, hazard analysis, emergency response, marketing, transportation planning, wildlife management, agriculture, and health care management

The GIS Profession Evolves

While other occupations are aged, tested, and refined, the field of GIS is young and growing

GIS has rejuvenated other professions that were once set in their ways and as a result, there has been a merger between GIS and other professions

GIS Technology Evolves

In the case of GIS, it is necessary to understand basic geographic concepts in addition to developing specialty knowledge:– various software packages, programming

languages, and hardware are used– vast amounts of new data requires data

management systems

Components of a GIS

People Technology Data Data Presentation

People as GIS Components

It is the knowledge that people carry that makes them important

In order to properly function as a GIS professional it is necessary to have at least a general knowledge of geography and GIS

GIS Technology Component

Technological necessities for today’s GIS include:– Software– Hardware – System Administration– Database Administration– Programming

GIS Software Component

May include products from ESRI, MapInfo, or AutoCAD (many other companies produce GIS products as well)

As GIS evolves, technicians and analysts must be proficient in using more than one GIS application

GIS Data Component

Data includes any information that is spatial or tabular that relates to geography and specialty fields, for example:– parcels, crime statistics, or volcanic activity

Quality and accuracy of data is important and should always be considered

Metadata, or the data about data, is very important as more data becomes available

GIS Data Presentation Component

Representation of space and time can take the form of maps, graphs, charts, animations, and simulations

Visualizing aspects in 3D or using creative symbology gives users new perspectives and can enable a higher level of communication

The World Wide Web offers a forum for interactive mapping

GIS Specialty Fields

There is a need for GIS users to be able to make specific queries and analyses best conceptualized with a specialized knowledge base

As a result, GIS Specialists are learning specialized and focused fields while people in specialized fields are learning to use GIS

What is a GIS Librarian?

A GIS Librarian is a library professional with knowledge of GIS data models, concepts, techniques, technologies, and information and library science, and who can apply this knowledge in collecting, organizing, disseminating, and preserving geographically referenced data, providing general help in GIS reference and in displaying geospatial data

What Does a GIS Librarian do?

Technical Services aspect:– metadata, cataloging, and selection

Public Services aspect:– depends on the resources (people and dollars) of

the library– depends on the Mission of the library

GIS in Library Public Services

Suppose a student comes to the library reference desk needing to create a map detailing the moose population for Anchorage

Let's also suppose that this student knows little about GIS except hearing that GIS is a wonderful tool

GIS in Library Public Services

This is something that would take a GIS Librarian no more than 15 minutes to do for the student– Not every library has someone on staff who can

help with GIS Or, should the student learn the skills and

resources necessary to create the map on their own?

Who or where should this student be referred?

GIS in Library Public Services

Some libraries are more in the teaching mode, offering GIS workshops, one-one instruction, and in depth project assistance

These libraries likely have librarians that are on par with GIS Technicians and are GIS savvy, devoting the bulk of their day primarily to GIS and/or maps

GIS in Library Public Services

Reality:Reality: Most libraries do not have titled 'GIS'

Librarians Most librarians have subject specialty/liaison

duties of which GIS may be just one small part– individual GIS instruction is just not practical or

feasible for most libraries

GIS Services in Libraries

If a library chooses to provide a GIS service beyond collecting GIS data, the library staff, and their library administration must acknowledge, that a high end service is being offered

GIS Services in Libraries

Being able to assist users with the functionality of a GIS and the ability to work with digital datasets is very different than providing bibliographic instruction on how to use a bibliographic database or providing reference assistance to determine whether the library owns a particular title

Marketing GIS to Libraries

GIS needs to be marketed not only to reference librarians, but library administrators, as a management tool

Libraries won’t adopt GIS until they understand that it has a management application that offers real value to libraries, and that library directors could be using GIS for their own planning processes

GIS in Library Strategic Planning

Analyze patterns of patron use in their libraries and branches using GIS tools to answer questions:– What areas of the community are the patrons

coming to use library services? – What are the characteristics of the populations

served by each library?– Do the materials used vary by area served?

Learn More About GIS

There are many websites where you can learn more about GIS and other geospatial technologies, for example:http://www.gis.com

http://www.esri.com/industries/libraries/index.html

http://www.gisportal.com

http://www.giscafe.com