Effective Management of Geographical Information in Map/GIS Libraries

HAROKOPIO UNIVERSITY OF ATHENS
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION CENTRE
Ifigenia Vardakosta, PhD
Head Librarian
Harokopio University of Athens
Library & Information Centre
ifigenia@hua.gr
Effective Management of Geographical Information
in Map/GIS Libraries
17th InternationalCartographic Association Conference on DigitalApproaches to Cartographic Heritage
Aristotle Universityof Thessaloniki, May 24-26, 2023

Presentation Outline
•Characteristics of Geographical Information
•Types of Geographical Information
•Challenges for libraries in managing geographical information
•Best practices in managing Map/GIS in libraries
•Conclusions

1. Characteristics of Geographical Information (1/2)
expandable: geographic data often expand, while being degraded (e.g.
census data)
compressible: complex data can be summarized (e.g. the field of
geodemographics which makes extensive use of a wide range of lifestyle
classifications derived from a mass of small-area census statistics)
transportable (massive amounts of information can be sent around the
world, almost instantly)
diffusive (represents the immaterial characteristics of knowledge that set it
apart from the material resources)
shareable (Information may be shared and recalled, and it doesn't lose its
value over time)
Can substitute for other resources (e.g. replacing physical facilities)
(Masser, 1998)

1. Characteristics of Geographical Information (2/2)
multidimensional (because at least two coordinates must be specified to
define a location, whether they be x and y or latitude and longitude)
voluminous (since a database can easily reach a terabyte in size)
requires many special methods for its analysis
can be time - consuming to integrate and analyse the many varied types of
geographic information
the process of updating the GI is complex, and expensive
can be represented in different ways on a computer
(Longley et.al., 2001, p.6)

2. Types of Geographical Information
Remotely sensed data (they are derived from aerial photographs, satellite
imagery, and laboratory equipment)
Cartographic data (refers to information obtained from existing maps,
which are themselves the result of processing and abstracting from data
obtained by direct field survey and/or remote sensing.
Administrative and statutory data (are sources that are the by-product of
some administrative process or statutory requirement, which are useful for
geographical analysis).
Censuses and surveys (their purpose is to generate information for
answering research questions or information that is not routinely required).
(Walford 2001, p.5)

3. Challenges for Libraries in Managing Geographical Information
3.1. Map/GIS Librarians expertise
oMap/GIS Librarian is a promoted specialty of librarianship
oMap/GIS Librarian requires a variety of skills
oLocal Library Associations offer opportunities for ongoing
education and constructive guidance (e.g. ALA – MAGIRT)
Yet,
La
Lack of courses related to Map/GIS Librarianship in the
academic curricula of Library Science Departments

3.2. Use of tools
Various tools for the management of the GI have been
developed and evolved (Solar, 2016; Vardakosta & Kapidakis, 2013)
Yet,
Many OPAC’s lack of geographic information (number, size,
coordinates, scale, projection and geographic area) in their
map records as it is not used in coded form

3.3. Lack of Geo-Information Literacy programmes
oFundamentally all libraries are educational institutions that
instruct and guide people in their communities about
information
o Information literacy standards and frameworks are quite well
formed
Yet,
Geographical collections lack such a framework

3.4. Inadequate promotion of the Map/GIS collections
oMaintaining the resources required for the collection (e.g. space,
preservation activities, and software) is a challenge for libraries
especially as budgets continue to shrink
oThe promotion of the Map/GIS library’s holdings turns into a
significant task
(Ward Aber & Ward Aber, 2017, p.242)
Yet,
While the library maintains a map collection this type of material
does not appear on its website in the material type section

4. Best practices in Managing Map/GIS in libraries
Map cataloging and the systematic process of digitized maps and
GIS data consists of a major administrative operation for the
Map/GIS Libraries
In order for maps, and any other material, to have the maximum
visibility and subsequently to be used, must be catalogued
(Andrew & Larsgaard, 2011, p.414)
The standards (MARC21, AACR2, RDA, BIBFRAME, Linked Data etc.)
will define the interoperability and the collection’s utilization
Despite the fact that guidelines have been developed by the writer
for the cataloging of the cartographic material of the Greek libraries
tailored to the currently used standards (AACR2 and MARC21)
however, it seems that Greek librarians didn’t pay special attention
to its use
4.1. Decision to catalogue geographical material

4.2 Collaborative partnerships
The cooperation among Map/GIS Libraries and/with other
Institutions for a range of activities related to geographical
information has repeatedly been referred to as a major good
practice (Vardakosta, 2020; Vardakosta, 2021)
Collaborations with other Map/GIS Libraries and other
institutions comprehend the administrations’ commitment to
collaboration goals fulfillment
The Greek Academic Geographical Libraries Group is worth
mentioning as an example of libraries’ collaboration
https://greekgeolibraries.webador.com/

4.3 User support and outreach
Promoting the importance of maps in every discipline
Promoting the so far unused cartographic material to faculty
and students
Geo-information literacy programs could be developed or
applied cooperatively

Conclusions
Map/GIS libraries’ value is obvious in collecting, protecting,
managing, organizing, circulating, and promoting geographical
information
Their existence is empowered by the educational and
training role they possess and their obligation to guide their
users to the efficient use of the geo-information

Thank you!
Ifigenia Vardakosta
ifigenia@hua.gr

REFERENCES
•Andrew, P. & Larsgaard, M. (Eds). (2011) Maps and Related Cartographic Materials:
cataloguing, classification and bibliographic control. New York: Routledge
•Longley, P.A., Goodchild, M.F., Maguire, D.J., Rhind, D.W. (2001). Geographic
Information Systems and Science. Chichester: Wiley
•Masser, I. (1998). Governments and geographic information. London: Taylor &
Francis
•Solar, R. (2016). Map Libraries - Challenges for the Future. E-perimetron, 11 (2)
p.90-98 http://lib2mag.ir/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Map-Libraries-Challenges-
for-the-Future.pdf
•Vardakosta, I. (2020). Cooperate, Educate and Develop: A Methodology Approach
for Implementing Geographical Collections, Journal of Map & Geography
Libraries, 16(1), 29-53, DOI: 10.1080/15420353.2020.1838399
•Vardakosta, I. (2021). Cooperation as a policy factor for strategic development of a
geographical collection: the case of Greek academic libraries. In 15th International
Cartographic Association Conference on Digital Approaches to Cartographic
Heritage, 22nd MAGIC Conference on Challenges in Modern Map Librarianship,
Budapest (Hungary), 6-7 May 2021
•Walford, N. (2002). Geographical data: characteristics and sources. West Sussex:
Wiley
•Ward Aber, S.E. & Ward Aber, J. (2017). Map Librarianship: A Guide to Geoliteracy,
Map and GIS Resources and Services. Cambridge: Chandos publ.

Presentation Map
Προύσα [Prousa] [Map]. [1921]. 1:250.000. [Athens]: Hellenic Military
Geographical Service. Retrieved from https://estia.hua.gr

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