-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Paper vs. Digital maps
Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 15:45:29 -0500
From: David J. Bertuca <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
References: <[log in to unmask]>
Hi all;
I get a kick out of this topic all the time... Monday evening I had a
library school Gov't Docs class in for a presentation on gov maps (US,
State, Int'l, etc) and one thing I always mention in these is that paper
AND digital maps have their place and that you can't really go totally one
way or the other. Some of the comments so far mention my experience with
format:
1. field workers like paper maps because they don't need batteries, they
show the entire area, they can be used to make notations of measurements
and findings (sometimes on the maps--yikes).
2. digital goes well in class lectures and for presentations
I always mention this: "I will gladly go all digital when I get a computer
display that is 3 feet x 5 feet in size."
Paper maps provide context and surrounding data; electronic ones need
scrolling and often compromises in viewing.
IF you have a PERFECTLY calibrated display, and IF the electronic map image
is PROPERLY calibrated, then MAYBE you can see colors distinctly so that
judgement errors are removed from viewing. Consider a geological map with
47 shades and what would happen if several shades could not be
distinguished separately. Not a big deal for some stuff but geologists and
engineers kind of need those color distinctions.
I am thrilled when I find great maps online and can view stuff that I'll
never get to see in person. I like having the originals protected by
facsimiles for reference and I am always happy to be able to provide
thousands of maps a year to my patrons. BUT, many still need paper, OR want
paper, especially if they want to sit and ponder the maps for long periods
of time, or for a variety of other uses.
I love to keep e-files of maps for reference, and also because I can find
them again easier than some of my paper ones. I also can add references to
the files (or to my own database) so I can retrieve them again online. So I
do love e-maps AND paper maps (or maps on other materials for that matter).
Treat format as another way of viewing and using, and make appropriate
formats match user demands. Do not, push them to taking something that
doesn't match their needs whenever possible.
And, yes, I am dying to get grant-funding for a large-sheet scanner and
printer/plotter so that I can produce facsimiles or paper versions of
e-maps.
David J. Bertuca, Map Librarian
225 Capen Hall
University at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY 14260-1672
716-645-2947 x229
[log in to unmask]
--On Wednesday, March 04, 2009 12:58 PM -0600 Maps-L Moderator for Brian
Bach <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: Paper vs. Digital maps
> Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 10:39:18 -0800
> From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> References: <[log in to unmask]>
>
>
>
> Well, it's no contest that we have to have it all. (My typical library
> attitude.)
>
> I regularly ask questions of users along this line. Faculty and
> professionals tend to want both - as complimentary backups, naturally.
> Geography and Resource Management students join this opinion by wanting
> something expansive to literally spread out for location prep and while
> in the field.
>
> One of our profs recently did field work in Bolivia and encountered some
> horrible battery problems with the digital gear, so they reverted to
> their analog materials, which sufficed quite nicely. 'The cases carrying
> the digital equipment made nice chairs,' he quipped.
>
> Only a very specialized or predictable-use collection would commit wholly
> to digital, I should think. Old-fashioned and new-fashioned can co-exist
> and indeed, mesh without the need to debate.
>
> Brian
>
> Brian P. Bach
> Documents/Maps
> Brooks Library
> Central Washington University
> 400 E. University Way
> Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
> USA
> [log in to unmask]
> http://www.amazon.com/Calcuttas-Edifice-Buildings-Great-City/dp/8129104156
>
>
>>>> Maps-L Moderator for Kathy Stroud <[log in to unmask]> 3/4/2009 9:57 AM >>>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Re: Paper vs. Digital maps
> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:55:08 -0800 (PST)
> From: Kathy Stroud <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> An additional comment,
>
> Definitely consider your patron's desires. As an academic institution, I
> find that most of my researchers want digital. However, we also serve
> members of the public who want paper. I'm old fashioned and still like
> paper for my topo maps unless I'm using them as part of a GIS analysis.
> If you go heavily digital, consider investing in large format
> scanners/plotters and patron service models involving these pieces of
> equipment.
>
> Kathy Stroud, Map/GIS Librarian
> Biological/Agricultural Sciences and Map Services, Shields Library
> 100 NW Quad Ave.
> Davis, CA 95616-5292
> 530-752-5248
>
> ----- "Maps-L Moderator for Russell Guy" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> ------- Original Message --------
>> Subject:
>>
>> RE: Paper vs. Digital maps
>>
>> Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 10:53:06 -0500
>> From: L-Soft list server at UGA (1.8d) <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: Angie Cope <[log in to unmask]>
>>
>>
>>
>> There is also much material that is not available in digital
>> format. It is one thing if most of your requests are for US regions
>> for which there is significant digital material, quite a different
>> situation for foreign regions. As Scott notes, storing and managing
>> digital material has its own problems; I'd add to his list outdated
>> formats and training users to use your digital map system. While
>> GoogleMaps/GoogleEarth is a tremendous tool, it is not yet the "best"
>> source for all mapping.
>>
>> Russell
>> (a map dealer)
>>
>> At 10:18 AM 3/4/2009, you wrote:
>> > -------- Original Message --------
>> > Subject: RE: Paper vs. Digital maps
>> > Date: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 09:08:04 -0600
>> > From: McEathron, Scott R <[log in to unmask]>
>> > To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > CC: <[log in to unmask]>
>> > References: A<[log in to unmask]>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Consider the transition from paper to digital in terms of other
>> formats
>> > (books, journals, manuscripts). Have you transitioned 100% of your
>> > books from a paper based to digital only? No, of course not. Why
>> would
>> > maps be any different? The biggest factors retarding the transition
>> to
>> > digital in all formats is probably the U.S. Congress' continuous
>> > enhancement copyright protections (even for dead folks) over the past
>> 40
>> > years. While at the same time degrading the constitutional and
>> common
>> > law of Fair Use. Thus, for most items in library collections,
>> > libraries' own the paper and cloth binding--but not the intellectual
>> > content. If all your maps are in the public domain and none of your
>> > users wish to view anything in hard copy, then you certainly can
>> > consider going all digital. Another factor that we are experiencing
>> are
>> > the complexities and expense of digital storage, management, etc.
>> > Best wishes,
>> > Scott R. McEathron
>> > University of Kansas Libraries
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: Maps, Air Photo & Geospatial Systems Forum
>> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Maps-L Moderator for
>> Jean
>> > Cane
>> > Sent: Wednesday, March 04, 2009 8:18 AM
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Paper vs. Digital maps
>> >
>> > ------- Original Message --------
>> > Subject: Maps
>> > Date: Wed, 04 Mar 2009 09:13:49 -0500
>> > From: Jean <[log in to unmask]>
>> > Organization: University of Notre Dame
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Map Colleagues,
>> >>
>> >> We are in the process of reevaluating our map collections and
>> future
>> >> directions we would like to pursue, primarily paper vs. digital
>> >> collections. Has anyone here transitioned their collections from a
>> >> paper base to digital only collection? If so, what factors were
>> >> considered of primary importance in that pursuit of that policy
>> >> direction? What has been the positive and negatives as a result?
>> >> Similarly, was such a transition under consideration at your
>> >> institution and why wasn't it pursued? You may also respond
>> directly
>> >> to me at our email address. Any feedback and input would be greatly
>> >> appreciated. Thanks for your time and assistance.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> You may contact me at [log in to unmask]
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Mike Lutes
>> >>
>> >> Jean Cane
>> >
>> > --
>> > Jean Ann Cane
>> > Supervisor of Government Documents
>> > 208H Hesburgh Library
>> > University of Notre Dame
>> > Notre Dame, IN 46556
>> > Phone: (574) 631-5685
>>
>> ************************************************************************
>> ******* Russell Guy [log in to unmask]
>> Omnimap.com http://www.omnimap.com/maps.htm
>> International Map Specialists Tel.: 800-742-2677 (USA only)
>> P.O. Box 2096 Tel.: 336-227-8300
>> (International)
>> 1004 South Mebane St. Fax: 336-227-3748
>> Burlington, NC 27216-2096 USA
>> Past President (1996), International Map Trade Association
>> Founding Member, Independent Travel Stores Association
>> **********************************************************************
>> **********
>
>
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