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MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L
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Subject:        Including maps in Google Scholar
Date:   Thu, 01 Dec 2005
From:   Paige Andrew <[log in to unmask]>
To:     [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]



Good morning everyone, and please excuse the cross-posting. I promised
someone I would raise this issue over a month ago so its about time I get
this done! As of mid-October it was noted that Google Scholar does not
include maps/cartographic material in its database, which for those of us
who work with maps/cartographic materials should be a concern. Is it a big
enough concern to make a concerted effort to push for inclusion by talking
directly to Google folks? Here's a couple of direct quotes given to me...

"...the fact that Google Schlolar appears to not include maps is
problematic; not just for [us], but for all OCLC-cataloged map
collections.  ...interdisciplinary scholarship would benefit if Google also
included WorldCat map collections in their Scholar project. I think that
such an inclusion would be an important project for the map cataloging
community to undertake -- convince Google to incorporate WorldCat map
records in Scholar."

and

"Google needs some input from the map community that WorldCat map records
should be mined and included."

So, once again maps find themselves in a "stepchild" situation compared to
other formats of material. How do folks feel about pursuing a change for
this addition?

Sincerely,

Paige

P.S. Should I broaden the audience and see if I can get this question
posted to AUTOCAT?




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