================================================
MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L
================================================

Subject: Re: MAPS-L: USGS Outsources
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005
From: Brian Bach <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]

I daresay, it will be most interesting to note how users of any
outsourced USGS map products respond to their quality and offerings. If
good old American free enterprise is going to make a cavalry charge to
save poor, ailing USGS from making a fool out of itself, the results
better be worthwhile! Call me a curmudgeon, but I am wary when aspects
of our ADD-influenced society seep into the library world, which is
founded on principles of patience and permanence (relative terms,
naturally).

Bravo to modern mapping technology for aiding in natural disasters
(e.g. Katrina rescue maps). But in the context of acquired map
collections in libraries, as Eddie 'Rochester' Anderson exclaimed in
'It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World': 'What's the rush??'

One thing is certain: our library will maintain our paper map
collection in perpetuity (or...well... as long as I'm around!). In my
humble opinion, its value will only increase with time.

All best,

Brian


Brian P. Bach
Documents/Maps
Brooks Library
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7548
USA
[log in to unmask]

>>> [log in to unmask] 10/18/05 11:16 AM >>>
================================================
MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L ** MAPS-L
================================================
Subject: USGS Outsources
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005
From: David Cobb <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]


Yesterdays Federal ComputerWeek -
www.fcw.com/article91117-10-17-05-Print -
reveals the "death" of the paper map looms ever closer! On a more
positive
note, however, maybe we won't have to keep buying those nasty map
cases.

David Cobb

***************************************************************************
David A. Cobb                                   Tel. 617.495.2417
Harvard Map Collection                          FAX  617.496.0440
Harvard College Library                         Email:
[log in to unmask]
Cambridge, MA 02138
http://hcl.harvard.edu/maps
************************** VERITAS
****************************************


--

--