Overview
Geospatial services aim to enhance the use and applicability of geospatial information across disciplines. The development of geospatial services has involved a multi-faceted approach: 1) informal meetings with key geospatial stakeholders to assess department and student interests and needs in geospatial data, and geospatial information resources; 2) physical and computer space to accommodate one-on-one and group consultations and meetings with users including students, faculty, staff, and community members; 3) development of online guides for independent learning of maps and geospatial topics; 4) creation of facilitation questions and consultation materials to help users progress in project objectives; 5) inventory of location-based, general education, and/or geographic themed courses to outreach to regarding interest in maps and geospatial resources and instruction opportunities; 6) online survey to department contacts, and GIS user stakeholders to assess their current use of GIS software, data sources, library resources, and preferences for priority areas; and 7) Regularly programmed educational sessions offered in person and available online to provide a foundation for future geospatial research, project, and/or instruction.
The development, assessment, and future enhancement of geospatial services is ongoing.
Results
Over 20 meetings occurred in the initial assessment of geospatial users and interests on campus. In coordination with library technology department, dedicated consultation computers with geospatial software were deployed for geospatial consultations in a designated space. Maps and geospatial guides were created on geospatial topics of broad use and applicability across disciplines, including topics such as ArcGIS Online, case study applications across disciplines, open source GIS, and web-mapping tools. These online materials contain guided questions to assist a user in answering questions about their projects, and similar questions are used during consultation meetings to facilitate the user’s geospatial information use. The identification of over 100 contacts for classes were compiled to distribute information on geospatial information resources and educational sessions. Connections with classes have illustrated key student support, structure, and potential when working with classes for class projects. An online survey was created and distributed in October 2016 to gather input on user geospatial needs, and preferences for future geospatial initiatives. Over multiple semesters, the development of geospatial foundational instructional sessions appropriate for an audience with diverse interest were offered both in person and remotely including sessions focused on library mapping application, educational resources, and specific softwares including ArcGIS and open source products.
People
Tara LaLonde, Nathan Piekielek
Presentations
LaLonde. T. 2016. Library Geospatial Resources. Penn State University. GIS Day. November 15, 2016.
Acknowledgements
Geospatial services are supported by the Penn State University Libraries.