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I'm envious of your windfall, but I'm also worried about the implications
of the map collection computer lab you're creating. I wonder if its
entirely appropriate for a map collection to have ArcInfo, Atlas GIS and
other software that requires significant amounts of training. Who's going
to show the patrons how to use the equipment? Does your chemistry library
have a full scale lab so that patrons can do experiments?
 
That said, I have a couple of comments and suggestions regarding your
wants lists. Have you thought about buying any Mac hardware and software?
There are many in the cartographic world, though I'm not one of them,
who prefer Macs for mapping. If you're buying such sophisticated GIS
equipment, shouldn't you buy a plotter? When you decide what software
you purchase, you may also want to consider Idrisi, a relatively inexpensive
but fairly widely used package produced at Clark University. You might
also want to buy the MapExpert CD-ROM, a Window-based reworking of TIGER
files that provides access to supposedly every street in the U.S. on
a single disc.
 
Despite my misgivings, I am impressed by your project. If I ever get
around to pursuing a Ph.D. in geography, it will certainly make me
seriously consider attending UGa.
 
I'm posting this to the list because I think my questions might be of
wider interest.
 
Blake Gumprecht                                Telephone: (215) 204-3187
Documents Librarian                                  Fax: (215) 204-5201
Paley Library (017-00)                    Internet: [log in to unmask]
Temple University                                Bitnet: gumpbw@templevm
Philadelphia, PA 19122