Digital Curation and the GeoWeb: An Emerging Role for Geographic Information Librarians

Abstract

The rise of the GeoWeb and the proliferation of volunteered geographic information (VGI) have permanently changed the volume and types of geospatial data available for consumption. This has simultaneously altered the role of data curation and information provision roles of geographic information librarians (GILs). The purpose of this paper is to provide a succinct history of geospatial data services in libraries and a discussion of current challenges encountered by information professionals with the GeoWeb. The paper concludes with an overview of the importance of incorporating the GeoWeb into future geospatial data curation training.

KEYWORDS:

• GeoWeb
• geographic information librarianship
• digital curation training
• data curation

Acknowledgments

© Bradley Wade Bishop, Tony H. Grubesic, and Sonya Prasertong

The authors would like to acknowledge funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which is the primary source of federal support for the nation's 123,000 libraries and museums. Through grant making, policy development, and research, IMLS helps communities and individuals thrive through broad public access to knowledge, cultural heritage, and lifelong learning.

Notes

1. Volunteered geographic information refers to the use of tools for creating, assembling, and disseminating geographic data provided voluntarily by individuals (Goodchild 2007).