--- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Fri, 20 Oct 2000 12:05:26 -0400 From: Joe Aufmuth <[log in to unmask]> Subject: RE: Geographic coordinates in MARC <fwd> Sender: Joe Aufmuth <[log in to unmask]> Hi Jimmie I spent quite some time with Stephanie on this for the FBIC efforts. There is a serious road block to using MARC records and GIS exchange. The current database fields and relational sub-tables and not searchable. The Federal Geographic Data Committee has stipulations for maintaining metadata and the issue is how can MARC be used to represent those fields and how are they made searchable/reportable. If cross discipline database exchange is going to occur, a MARC record export format must be created and utilized. In addressing the FBIC issues, we found there are fields that are usable but not necessarily appropriate. Whatever is chosen, the database needs numeric range search capabilities if polygon bounding boxes are to be utilized. The other consideration is how the coordinates for the record are chosen and the methods implications for map accuracy standards. Here is one site that addresses the FGDC cross walks. "Mapping and Converting Essential Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) Metadata into MARC21 and Dublin Core: Towards an Alternative to the FGDC Clearinghouse" http://eeirc.nwrc.gov/pubs/crosswalk/fgdc-marc-dc.htm I am available to discuss these issues at your convenience. Joe Aufmuth GIS Coordinator University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries P.O. Box 117001 Gainesville, Florida 32611-7001 (352) 392-0366 [log in to unmask] -----Original Message----- From: Johnnie Sutherland [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Friday, October 20, 2000 11:15 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Geographic coordinates in MARC <fwd> --- Begin Forwarded Message --- Date: Thu, 19 Oct 2000 16:29:11 -0400 From: Jimmie Lundgren <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Geographic coordinates in MARC Sender: Jimmie Lundgren <[log in to unmask]> Dear MAPS-L, I am writing to ask the opinions of the MAPS-L community about the requirements for coding coordinates in degrees and minutes in MARC, while the FGCD requires it in decimal values. There seems to be a growing need for better functional interoperability between databases. Do you think this needs to be resolved? How should this best be resolved? What about polygons? If the option of coding the decimal values in MARC records were proposed and accepted, would you use it? If you did, would you prefer to enter it as an alternative when the information is presented in that way (as on a CD, for example), or should it be entered in both forms on the same records? Thanks for any input, Jimmie Jimmie Lundgren, Science Cataloging Unit Head 300 Smathers Library, University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611-2048 [log in to unmask] phone: 352-392-0351 fax: 352-392-4788 --- End Forwarded Message --- --- End Forwarded Message ---