Distributed Geolibraries Spatial Information Resources, Summary of a Workshop (1999) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 7-14
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From page 7... ...
In many ways they emulate the functions of traditional libraries, by making it possible to search and locate information using simple tools. But the potential is far greater in areas such as electronic corrunerce and in supporting new ways of finding information that go far beyond the services of the traditional library.
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From page 8... ...
Terrorist acts like the World Trade Center bombing and natural disasters like Hurricane Andrew affect specific locations on the Earth's surface and call for relief efforts that must occur quickly and that are sharply focused in space. Accurate knowledge of the place at which an emergency occurs and of surrounding conditions is of critical importance in dispatching ambulances and other forms of relief.
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From page 9... ...
And the small towns along the river have limited information resources. The officials need services that allow them to access and browse available imagery, thematic maps, current public and private data resources, and even services available through commercial subscriptions.
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After having identified several possible home sites, they further refine their search by excluding undesirable areas such as high-crime districts or hazardous materials storage sites. They have read newspaper stories about brush fires.
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From page 11... ...
She begins her work by visiting the local library, contacting responsible local, state, and federal agencies, talking with colleagues; and using search engines on the WWW. Finding the appropriate information, dealing with issues of confidentiality of health data, and putting the information into a form that can be integrated with other data about a given place can be time consuming, eventual success depends heavily on her background, technical training, and experience.
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From page 12... ...
Counties, once hungry for the economic growth brought by the construction of luxury summer homes, are now concerned about degradation of water quality and the demands of new residents that their assets be protected from wildlife. Fire management has become an increasing concern at multiple levels of government; officials recognize the need for frequent exposure of forests to fires in order to reduce fuel Toad, but with greatly increased private property near the forest they have found it increasingly difficult to allow fires to burn without risk to structures.
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From page 13... ...
They include many where the timely~pro ms~on of information could minimize loss of life or result ~ more timely and effective use of existing information resources arid others where the costs of bad decisions could be avoided. Distributed geolibraries could provide information services directed specifically at the needs of communities.
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From page 14... ...
Many of the components of distributed geolibraries already exist or are being developed, and many existing WWW sites offer some limited form of distributed geolibrary services. This report goes beyond the present to articulate a vision of what might be, with the objective of providing a common target and of pulling disparate threads together into a unified effort to achieve that vision in the not too distant future.
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