Using Geographic Information Systems for estimating and profiling geographic library market areas

Koontz, Christie

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/414 Copy

Description

Title

Using Geographic Information Systems for estimating and profiling geographic library market areas

Author(s)

Koontz, Christie

Issue Date

1996

Keyword(s)

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• Market analysis

Abstract

A definition of legal service or market area is difficult for public library management due to limited available data regarding user residence, and because people may cross service lines for any number of reasons. Yet an accurate estimate and a subsequent socioeconomic profile of the geographic market to be served (market analysis) is essential in order to provide unique community-based services and materials. Geographic information system (GIS) software can facilitate library market analysis by graphically estimating geographic boundaries and analyzing socioeconomic characteristics within prescribed markets in one online environment. This discussion illustrates the utility of GIS in estimating and profiling library markets. The Evansville-Vanderburgh County public library system is used to provide realistic library market analysis situations.

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

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http://hdl.handle.net/2142/414

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