This message is from Kathleen Eisenbeis.-------------------Johnnie
 
---------------------------------
 
 
      Wed, 27 Apr 94 14:41:29 EDT
      [log in to unmask] (Kathleen Eisenbeis)
         Library users of the EOSDIS
 
NASA's Office of Mission to Planet Earth is a program designed to
understand global environmental change. The program will collect data from
satellites, aircraft and ground studies and provide these data and
information to scientists and other users around the world through the
Earth Observing Data and Information System (EOSDIS) over the Internet.
NASA has a number of operating satellites currently collecting data on
radiation, ozone, aerosols, ocean circulation, stratospheric and
mesospheric chemistry.  Future satellites in the Earth Observing System era
will provide new types of data for expanded science objectives.  To
encourage wide use of the data and information NASA is now developing the
EOSDIS.  The goal is to enable quick and easy access to these resources for
a broad range of users.  NASA would like to involve the library community
as users and and intermediaries to the public.  The question that needs
answering now is:  What is a reasonable number of users that might be
expected to use these data and information at and through libraries?
 
As an adviser to the MTPE on the role of libraries in providing these data
to the public, I am asking for a response to this question from working
librarians.  If you can make an estimate (in hundreds or thousands) of
anticipated use in libraries of all types of digital Earth science data
that will be freely available over the Internet, I welcome your input.
 
I can assure the readers that this is a serious and nontrivial question
which reflects an attempt by NASA management to plan for a real user need
that they have never before considered in their deliberations.
 
 Responses need to be made by May 6 directly to:  Dr. Kathleen Eisenbeis,
USRA, Washington, DC.  [log in to unmask]
 
 
______________________________________________________________________________
 
Dr. Kathleen M. Eisenbeis
Visiting Scientist, Universities Earth Sciences Program
Universities Space Research Association
300 D. St. SW  Suite 801
Washington, DC  20024
 
PH: 202-479-2609   FAX: 202-479-2613
[log in to unmask]