Citation
(2004), "New GIS mapping service for smaller libraries now available", The Electronic Library, Vol. 22 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/el.2004.26322eab.019
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
New GIS mapping service for smaller libraries now available
New GIS mapping service for smaller libraries now available
CIVIC Technologies, Inc., a provider of geographic information systems (GIS) for public libraries, has announced its new LibraryDecision MapsOnDemand service. The latest mapping service from CIVIC Technologies is a menu of customized GIS maps prepared primarily for smaller libraries with one to four outlets. A GIS is set up by CIVIC Technologies for each library as part of the basic service and a series of maps is then developed for one outlet, multiple outlets, or an entire jurisdiction. The visual benefit of mapping will help librarians save time and money by easily seeing data relationships such as patterns of library usage and service demand, and to communicate library needs to public officials and stakeholders. The menu-driven system for choosing maps means that libraries buy only the information they need, making MapsOnDemand a cost-effective planning tool for smaller libraries with limited staffs and tight budgets.
GIS technology has been used in government and business for many years, and is now being used effectively by many public libraries throughout the USA who have chosen to use CIVIC Technologies’ flagship product, LibraryDecision, a Web-based GIS service. According to Marc Futterman, President and CEO of CIVIC Technologies, “We are excited to add MapsOnDemand to our line of GIS products and services for public libraries. We learned from our experience that all libraries, regardless of size, need better tools to help them deliver more effective public services and to communicate with stakeholders and local officials. Maps are powerful tools for doing that. A void existed for the smaller library unable to provide the personpower or budget to operate a software application like LibraryDecision. Our new MapsOnDemand GIS service fills that void with an extremely cost-effective solution.”
Several types and combinations of maps are offered within each of the following categories: context map, school maps, CENSUS 2000 maps, patron data maps, library service measures, and population estimates and projections.