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The purpose of this research paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to measure and analyze library services and establish future directions for this research area.

This study reviews the library literature using GIS. The study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases, Library Literature and Information Full Text and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA). The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services.

This review of the literature reveals research using GIS as a tool in two ways: to analyze service area populations, including facility site location and other service and resource decision making; and to manage facilities, including in‐library use and occupancy of library study space.

The findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that may be confusing for the novice, but beneficial to the field. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit library services by generating maps to convey more information than tables and text alone and by allowing spatial analysis of library services inside the library as well as in a library's service areas.

The paper provides future directions for an emerging research area and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners.

This study aims to examine the role of information and communication technology (ICT)-based communication technologies to create a sustainable recovery strategy through Build Back Better practice in the existing policy framework of Bangladesh. Its purpose is to analyse the problems associated with the current recovery process of the country and how the ICT-based communication technology can improve the situation. Nevertheless, the aim also extends towards the limitation of the technology and the infrastructures and possible adjustments in this regard.

To achieve the aim, the study conducted an extensive literature review of numerous grey literature, policy papers and scientific/academic articles in an exploratory approach.

The result shows that the disaster recovery process of Bangladesh is slow, and there are some mismanagements (the lengthy risk assessment using ancient data generation processes, lack of accessibility and report-based data product) which was a cause behind the massive destruction done by recent cyclones. The ICT-based methods (proper database, many to many communications, GIS) can make this response faster, transparent and easy to access.

The research results may lack generalizability due to the research approach of the study. Thus, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

The study includes some possible adjustments to the argument for the existing policy infrastructure and scope of communication technology to bridge the theory and practice.

The study also includes some suggestions to engage society in disaster recovery processes.

This paper urges to study the implication of technology in terms of disaster recovery on a broad scale.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how citizens’ perception of empowerment can influence the intention to use and intention to recommend e-participation.

A research model is evaluated using structural equation modelling. An online survey questionnaire was used to collect data from 210 users of e-participation.

The results show that psychological empowerment influences the intention to use and recommend e-participation. Performance expectancy and facilitating conditions were the strongest predictors of intention to use; effort expectancy and social influence had no significant effect on the prediction of intention to use e-participation.

The use of psychological empowerment as a higher-order multidimensional construct is still insufficiently researched. Future research may explore the effect of each dimension of psychological empowerment in different scenarios of e-participation adoption. Caution is needed when generalising our findings towards the adoption of e-participation in different locations or with different participants.

The findings can help the local governments to design strategies for the promotion and diffusion of e-participation amongst the citizenry. Those strategies should focus on citizens’ perception of empowerment, thereby creating a positive attitude towards intention to use and recommend e-participation.

An innovative research model integrates the unified theory of acceptance, use of technology and psychological empowerment; the last as a higher-order construct.

The EarthCube Technology and Architecture Committee working groups needed current information on the development of existing EarthCube-funded projects (e.g. building blocks, conceptual designs, and research coordination networks) to fulfill the goals of the working groups (e.g. gap analysis, use cases, standards bodies and testbed). The aims of this study include a compilation of planned outcomes, an assessment of current work and an investigation of interests in research collaboration among select EarthCube-funded projects.

Twenty-four principal investigators of 24 different EarthCube projects completed the Funded Projects Questionnaire composed of 35 questions in March and April 2015.

The survey response rate was 100 per cent and included a diversity of results ranging from planning stages to early development to final development. The funded projects in this study received awards in 2013 and 2014.

The results are EarthCube-specific and are not generalizable. Suggestions for future research include integration of crosscutting disciplines and perspectives, best practices, guidelines and standards for broader impact.

This study identified potential collaboration opportunities, use cases and gaps (e.g. unmet architectural, functional, operational, organizational and/or technical needs).

The impact on society include an improved understanding of the various EarthCube-funded projects and potential for collaboration within and across multiple disciplines.

This study contributed to the development of select outputs for EarthCube-funded projects’ presentations, Tech Hands Meeting, 2015 All Hands Meeting, select working groups’ outcomes and EarthCube Strategic Technology Plan and is of value to stakeholders, scientists and users.

The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on the impact of integrating geospacial technology and ecological literacy into an educational leadership Master's class block comprised of action research and curriculum theory.

Action and teacher research informed by environmental issues framed an action research and curriculum theory course block in a Master's Educational Leadership program. A phenomenological study captured what transpired at a rural campus in Summer 2009. Teachers in Cohort VII investigated environmental relationships through observation, data collection, and analysis. The use of geospatial technologies built on place‐based educational pedagogies through the experience of kayaking on the Llano River to examine ecological social contexts as they relate to environmental issues.

Data reveal great interest in geospatial technologies but need for more professional development.

This action research engaged future school administrators in considering how to integrate spatial technology building on local geographic resources to enhance ecological literacy.

Research in the area of education administrators and public school students utilizing geospatial technology is very limited. The value added to the curriculum with geospatical technology is embraced by the masters students. They also began to comprehend how environmental literacy, as well as outdoor educational experiences, can be integrated into the school curriculum effectively.

The purpose of this paper is to explain the rise of geospatial data, its importance for business and some of the problems associated with its development and use.

The paper reviews a certain amount of previously published literature but is based mainly on analysis of the very large number of responses to a consultation paper on geospatial data published by the UK Government.

The findings are that while there is strong appreciation of the potential benefits of using geospatial data, there are many barriers to the development, sharing and use of geospatial data, ranging from problems of incompatibility in data definitions and systems to regulatory issues. The implication for governments and for providers and users of geospatial data relates to the need to take a long-term approach to planning in resolving the issues identified.

The research findings are limited to the UK, but similar findings would be likely in any other large Western country.

This paper confirms the need for a strong and coherent approach to the planning of geospatial data and systems for the establishment of a clear basis for the different parties to work together and the need to clearly separate the roles of the government in establishing frameworks and standards and the role of the private sector in developing applications and solutions.

Society is increasingly dependent on the use of geospatial data, in improving living standards and dealing with social problems. The recommendations identified in this paper, if followed, will facilitate these improvements.

The value of this paper is the tight synthesis that it provides of a wide ranging and complex range of responses to the UK Government consultation and placing these responses in the wider context of the development of geospatial data.

This paper aims to provide an introduction to core geographic information systems (GIS) concepts, prominent GIS software, the role of libraries in providing GIS services and support and resources for professional library staff to increase GIS knowledge and skills to fulfill the mission of serving the information needs of library patrons.

This paper provides an overview of GISs core concepts and terminologies, Library GIS services and resources for library staff development.

As GISs are being used by researchers in an ever-growing number of disciplines, librarians must increase their proficiency with geospatial technologies.

While GISs have been used by certain researcher populations for some time, the increased use of such geospatial technologies creates a need for librarians who possess the skills and knowledge to assist patrons with their GIS needs. This paper introduces professional library staff to important GIS concepts, potential GIS services and resources to increase library staff’s competence with GISs.

Geotechnologies have a long tradition in several areas of society and research. The recent development of the ‘Internet of Everything’ (IoE) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies opened several doors to the contribution of tourism. Emergent technologies contributions to tourism and planning such as web mapping, augmented reality (AR), crowdsourcing and crowdsensing are relatively recent, and there is a lack of research around their potential for Creative Tourism enhancement. For example, combining web mapping with AR or storytelling can be an excellent contribution to operators, planners and tourists. For research purposes, new opportunities are open, particularly by integrating community-shared data. It is well known for the popularity of social networks, the exponential growth of photo sharing, but few studies have been implemented to understand their contribution to research. This chapter focuses on emerging geotechnologies concerning cultural mapping, Creative Tourism and sustainability. Since it is a new growing niche, more research is needed to develop and understand the potential of new approaches. Besides traditional techniques such as quantitative (e.g. surveys) and qualitative ones (e.g. interviews, focus groups and world café), it revises the role of geotechnologies on Creative Tourism development and growing activities. Results from case studies from Europe are analysed.

Technologies for teaching abound, but many of them are proprietary systems and software that require institutional and individual subscriptions for use. Instructors and librarians in higher education have open source and free options for many types of teaching technologies. While some of these technologies are free to users, open source goes beyond that and makes the source code that runs it available as well. These provide more options to enhance teaching.

This paper will provide an overview of the open source landscape and evaluate free and open source technologies of potential use in the college or university classroom.

The paper found a number of free and open source tools appropriate for teaching and learning in higher education. These tools may possibly generate savings over proprietary tools, but could have other costs such as additional learning investment or require hosting. Additionally, free and open source technologies provide students with knowledge about tools that they can continue to access after graduation. Libraries have a role in connecting their constituencies to these tools.

The paper provides descriptive information about a variety of tools for teaching and learning in higher education, as well as examples from the literature of how the tools might be integrated into the classroom and into library instruction.