|
View Photo(s) of Award Presentation
Project Goal
GeoLib of Florida State University, developed the Internet accessible US Public Library Geographic Database, a decisionmaking tool for public librarians.
The database includes relevant US Census data which describes public library users and how they use the library, at 16,000 geo-coded library locations. The USPLGDB provides a one-stop access to critical data in one environment. This type of planning data is critical for public librarians who strive to develop services and programs which meet the specific information needs of the community.
The PLGDB will allow the user to ask questions that were not easily answered before. For example,
What is the population within one mile of location A that is being considered for the relocation of the Southside library branch?
What percentage of children under 5 live in the north side of town served by Branch A and B?
What percentage of the Hispanics in our library market area are over age 65?
The dearth of such decision making data was in part the reasoning behind the development of the US Public Library Geographic Database (PLGDB) www.geolib.org/PLGDB.cfm. This is a desktop tool (no fees, no subscription charges) designed to facilitate decision making processes for not only public librarians, but policymakers and researchers as well.
Learn more about us
Learn more about our application:
Site 1
Business Problem Solved
Before the US PLGDB was developed, a nationwide inventory of public libraries existed for several years through the National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department (NCES/U.S.DOE). The inventory was not maintained in a GIS environment nor was the inventory accurate.
In 2001, the National Commission of Library and Information Science (NCLIS) and NCES/U.S. DOE contracted with GeoLib to develop a geographically accurate digital base map, completed in May, 2002 . A digital map of public library locations without linked datasets is limited in and of itself.
In the current version, there are two key nationwide data sets in addition to the base map. One describes library customers, and the other what they use. The PLGDB will be of use to library managers and decision makers at many administrative levels. Library directors can utilize the PLGDB to:
a. identify the relevant population characteristics of the library’s current market area
b. identify the distance to the nearest library
c. identify any topographical or cultural boundaries that may exist such as major highways that block pedestrian traffic or the cultural boundaries of local neighborhoods
Technology Implemented
The Geolib application uses ArcSDE, ArcIMS and the Internet Mapping Framework (IMF). The IMF is a servlet-based web application that allows for the viewing and manipulation of maps served by both ArcIMS and WMS map services.
Development Team Biography
Christine M. Koontz
Christine Koontz is Director of the GeoLib program within FREAC. Christie has been with FREAC since 1990. Her interests are in developing access to digital geographic information for library planning, applying marketing research practices to solve library problems, marketing for nonprofits, and geographic market analysis and determination. Her current research interest is the establishment of a nationwide database linking population characteristics and library use data to a digital base map of public libraries. Christie also teaches in the School of Information Studies at FSU.
Dean K. Jue
Dean Jue has been with FREAC since 1987. Dean has interests in geographic information systems, public libraries, web mapping, environmental mapping, environmental assessment and analysis, decision support tools, and public policy analysis. His recent research has centered on the development of a national digital basemap of public libraries. He is currently managing a project for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that will develop a comprehensive website to provide information, data, and decision support tools for making planning decisions within the Apalachicola River basin.
Stephen W. Hodge
Stephen Hodge has been with FREAC since 1984. He is the principal researcher in Geographic Information Systems. In addition to his GIS expertise, he has interests in Internet Mapping, Land Surveying, and databases. Stephen has worked extensively with state and federal agencies developing GIS applications and assembling spatial data layers. FREAC is a depository for large amounts of digital data collected by other agencies and this data is utilized in ongoing projects and formatted to meet the needs of interested users. In addition to project work, Stephen is a valuable source of information through FREAC's ongoing efforts to provide technical assistance to state and local governments.
Georgianna Strode
Georgianna Strode is one of the principal programmers for FREAC working in the area of interactive mapping and the delivery of data via the Internet. She has been with FREAC since 1983. She is also involved in the delivery and formatting of digital data to outside users. The evolution of the Land Boundary Information System (LABINS) website over the years can be primarily attributed to her efforts.
Beverly C. Renard
Beverly Renard has recently joined FREAC as a research associate. She brings experience in geographic information systems, graphic design, and statistical analysis of data. She also has interests in teacher education, website development, migration, and population geography. She has been active in the Florida Geographic Alliance and has conducted numerous workshops for teachers.
|
)
)