----------------------------Original message----------------------------
 
On Wed, 9 Mar 1994, Keith Clarke wrote:
 
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
> As some of you may know, I am currently working on the second
> edition of my book, Analytical and Computer Cartography.
> In Chapter 6, a new chapter entitled "Access to Spatial Data,"
>  in a subsection on "Finding Spatial Data" I make the following
> statement:
> QUOTE
>         The search for paper maps is often conducted in a library. Librarians
> have been slow to adapt their tools and techniques to the archiving and sup-
> ply of digital map data, but there are now signs that the map librarian com-
> munity is rising to the challenge. Map librarians make use of computer
> networks to share information and conduct searches, and are now beginning
> to make census and other digital maps available in libraries. In addition,
> commercial companies often sell cartographic data and will conduct search-
> es. Landsat imagery, for example, from EOSAT, can be searched for and
> browsed using an on-line data base.
> UNQUOTE
>
> Am I being fair to the map librarians? I know that MAPS-L reflects folks
> on the cutting edge of Information Science, and don't want to hit too far
> off the mainstream.
>
Keith:
 
I'm not a map librarian but a writer.  My recommendation is to be more
diplomatic in the second sentence such as "Up until recently,
librarians..."  Another thing I see, although it's trivial, is the use of
"data base" rather than "database."  I use the latter term when it refers
to information managed in some sort of system; this seems to be the
preference in the media.  Hope this helps,
 
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