Collection Management Issues with Geospatial Information

Abstract

Among the most challenging aspects of GIS are identifying needs, acquiring resources, and managing the collection, a process that involves decision making in a dynamic and changing environment. Libraries that have traditionally collected maps have a good grounding in many of the issues, yet even they must learn new approaches, new technology, and think beyond the needs of traditional map users. Librarians will find challenges throughout the life of geospatial information, from its acquisition to its disposition, especially as a library collection migrates from a primarily print format to a focus on digital formats.