A New Model of Geographic Information Librarianship: Description, Curriculum and Program Proposal

Traditional map librarianship has evolved and now takes in many digital resources, including GIS (geographic information systems) data. Historically, ALA-accredited schools of library/information science have not provided comprehensive programs to support traditional print map librarianship nor more recently GIS librarianship professions, as compared to other specializations, such as music librarianship, archives management and others which have been established for many years. Currently, we are experiencing a merging and expansion of the map and GIS librarianship specialties into the field of Geographic Information Librarianship. This paper defines this new area of specialization, describes the need for this expertise in the profession and outlines a proposed curriculum and student recruitment in an interdisciplinary setting. Introduction A new area of librarianship, rooted in traditional map and GIS librarianship, is emerging. Geographic Information Librarianship (GIL) can be broadly defined as the profession of providing geographic information resources and services in a library setting. This new definition of GIL is intentionally broad and has three areas of expertise; (1) cartographic materials cataloging; (2) print map librarianship; and (3) GIS librarianship. While each area of expertise requires unique skills sets, each compliments and builds on the other two. GIL builds upon traditional library skills along with geographic information science and technology, where in the best possible setting, the "librarian knows the community and serves the clientele with appropriate maps as well as appropriate technologies."1 Geographic Information Librarianship supports all media (paper to digital) that contain geographic information. This new specialization embraces the larger library community's move toward a "bricks and clicks" service model, specifically for cartographic data, often described as a "geospatial information center." How can we build upon the current offerings at ALA accredited schools of information and library science to both promote and train for this new specialization? The academic journey to prepare the Geographic Information Librarians (GILs) with the necessary skills sets requires an enhancement to the traditional library curriculum track to ensure the librarians acquire an appropriate understanding of the organizational methods associated with cartographic resources (classification and metadata), cartographic principles, and a proficient GIS knowledge base. The purpose of this article is to define the scope of GIL as a profession and explore potential curriculum models within LIS programs to implement a GIL specialization. Background of Map and GIS Librarianship Cartographic information, traditionally stored in print maps, atlases, and aerial photos has evolved and merged into various digital formats. Many standard map reference resources are no longer offered in print and are only available digitally in the form of an interactive web interface. Two such examples are the USGS National Atlas, published in 1970, available online since 1997, and the US Census Bureau who released TIGER/Line files in 1989, and now hosts an interactive website entitled, American FactFinder. This shift from print to digital format has resulted in new ways that society views, understands, and employs maps. Maps are now incorporated into processes where geographic and topical data can be transformed into information that addresses real world issues and research questions. MacEachren's, How Maps Work, makes the point that maps are moving away from a form of representation and end-product to a larger role as part of an information infrastructure, a means of communication, and as a tool to facilitate analysis and decision making.2 The impact of this shift associated with the medium change of geographic information (paper to digital) and the application of "maps" to facilitate decision-making processes has had a ripple effect on map libraries. …