-------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: two confusing LCGFT headings Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 10:52:17 -0400 (EDT) From: Paige G Andrew <[log in to unmask]> To: Air Photo Maps, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship <[log in to unmask]> I personally think Marc is right on target with his distinctions. And agree that if the scope notes are not clear enough for consistent use of the two headings then they should be reviewed and revised. Perhaps this is something that members of MAGIRT's Cataloging & Classification Committee can assist with, but other similar groups and interested catalogers/individuals should also assist LC in this matter. Paige ----- Original Message ----- From: "Angie Cope, American Geographical Society Library, UW Milwaukee" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:15:00 AM Subject: Re: two confusing LCGFT headings -------- Original Message -------- Subject: Re: two confusing LCGFT headings Date: Fri, 15 Jun 2012 09:43:40 -0400 From: Marc McGee <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Hello Chris and all, I think you bring up an interesting question. The distinction does seem fuzzy. I've been applying "Geospatial data" to any collections of GIS enabled datasets where one is able to select individual feature layers from the collection and use them in a GIS. I also apply the more specific genre/form heading for the form of the data⦠e.g. Vector data, Raster data. When I think of "Geodatabases" I think of self-contained datasets delivered in a recognized database format (e.g. Access) or geodata packages that are only available to be used in a specific (usually custom and proprietary) software. I suppose Geodatabases might also be used to describe online GIS data repositories such as the Harvard Geospatial Library. I think the definition is further confused by the wide use of the ESRI data structure, Geodatabases⦠which I'd actually consider "Geospatial data". I'm not sure the heading was intended to describe only the ESRI data type. Maybe one way to think about the distinction would be that Geodatabases are collections of geospatial data intended to be searched? It would be useful for the whole community to come to a consensus on a clear definition and update the scope notes. Marc ---------------------------------------------------------------- Marc McGee Geospatial Resources Cataloger Harvard College Library Technical Services 625 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 617-384-8406 617-384-7170 (FAX) e-mail: [log in to unmask] Harvard Geospatial Library: http://hgl.harvard.edu