University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Geospatial information needs of the general public: Text, maps, and users' tasks

Gluck, Myke

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/408

Description

Title
Geospatial information needs of the general public: Text, maps, and users' tasks
Author(s)
Gluck, Myke
Issue Date
1996
Keyword(s)
  • Information needs
  • User tasks
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Information seeking
Abstract
Geospatial data are pervasive and the methods of understanding how people resolve their spatial information needs have been diverse. This discussion reviews the role of spatial information in resolving information needs. We add to this knowledge base the results from a series of ongoing experiments. These experiments address how geospatial information is used and how it supports resolution of the information needs of the general public. Five exploratory experiments are briefly reported revealing significant relations among format, task, and situation in geographic contexts. Based upon these preliminary outcomes, an extended role for libraries to add value to their services and products for geospatial information is proposed. Also, suggestions are made for future directions for research in this critical domain of geospatial information seeking.
Publisher
Graduate School of Library and Information Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Series/Report Name or Number
Geographic information systems and libraries: patrons, maps, and spatial information [papers presented at the 1995 Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing, April 10-12, 1995]
ISSN
0069-4789
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/408

Owning Collections

1995: Geographic information systems and libraries: patrons, maps, and spatial information PRIMARY
32nd Clinic on Library Applications of Data Processing (1995). Edited by Linda C. Smith and Myke Gluck.