A Digital Library for Geographically Referenced Materials

  • Authors:

  • Terence R. Smith

  • Affiliations:

  • -

  • Venue:
  • Computer
  • Year:
  • 1996

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Abstract

Presently, maps, aerial photos, and other material referenced in geographic terms, such as by the names of communities that appear in the material, are largely inaccessible. Much of the information is only on paper or film, and can be found only in major research libraries. There is a need to make such material more widely available. The goal of the Alexandria Project, which is based at the University of California at Santa Barbara, is to build a distributed digital library for geographically referenced material from throughout the world. The Alexandria Digital Library is scheduled to be made available to the public in July 1996. At that time, Internet users will be able to access and extract information from the ADL's large collection. To accomplish its goal, ADL will provide user interfaces and on-line catalogs that support the formulation and evaluation of geographically constrained queries. In addition, multiple interfaces will accommodate users with different needs. Government agencies, schools, corporations, and individuals will find ADL useful. They will be able to look up and download the information they need. Meanwhile, the Alexandria Project's staff plans to update and expand the digital library's collection.