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Distributed Geolibraries Spatial Information Resources, Summary of a Workshop (1999) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Pages 1-6

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From page 1...
... It is modeled on the operations of a traditional library, updated to a digital networked world, and focused on something that has never been possible in the traditional library: the supply of information in response to a geographically defined need. It would integrate the resources of the Internet and the World Wide Web into a simple mechanism for searching and retrieving information relevant to a wide range of problems, including natural disasters, emergencies, community planning, and environmental quality.
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From page 2...
... Developing the technical and institutional means to support incorporation of local knowledge into networked repositories presents a novel challenge. Although many projects currently exhibit elements of the vision of distributed geolibraries, the lack of a clear statement of that vision impedes coordination and leads to duplication of effort.
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From page 3...
... A national gazetteer would be a valuable addition to the framework data sets of the NSDI. These framework data sets are being coordinated by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC)
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From page 4...
... Research on these issues targeted to improve access to integrated geoinformation might be pursued by the National Science Foundation and other agencies sponsoring basic science, as well as by the National Mapping Division of the USGS, and the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. ARCHITECTURE OF DISTRIBUTED GEOLIBRARIES There are several alternative architectures for distributed geolibraries, including a single enterprise sponsored by a wellresourced agency, analogous to a national library; a network of enterprises with their own sponsors, analogous to a network or federation of libraries; and a loose network held together by shared protocols, analogous to the WWW.
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From page 5...
... ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES While traditional production of geospatial data has been relatively centralized, the vision of distributed geolibraries represents a broadly based restructuring of past institutional arrangements for the dissemination of geospatial data, one that is much more bottom-up, decentralized, and voluntary. Many prototypes that include elements of a distributed geolibrary already exist, but it will take many years to realize the fills vision, and it will be important to be able to measure and monitor progress.
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Key Terms

  • distributed geolibrary
  • geographic location
  • geospatial data
  • raw data
  • normally associated

  • retrieving information
  • integrated geoinformation
  • states possesses
  • environmental quality
  • projects currently

  • past institutional
  • broadly based
  • locally gathered
  • information normally
  • mapping agency

  • enterprise sponsored
  • derived products
  • include elements
  • support collaborative
  • national spatial

  • suitable information
  • gather data
  • simple mechanism
  • providing access
  • loose network

  • geolibraries provide
  • associated standards
  • allow users
  • mapping division
  • including natural


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