Larry W. Laliberte, Editor
University of Oregon - Eugene
Electronic Version - February 2001.
1. News1.1 Bush Administration Threatens Major Cut to USGS Budget
1.2 U.S. Geological Survey UpdatesFrom: David Applegate apple@agiweb.org to various lists, February 2001.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new administration is planning a 22-percent cut for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in its Fiscal Year 2002 budget request. The National Science Foundation (NSF) would receive a 1-percent increase. Both figures are in stark contrast to the bipartisan support shown for building these agencies in recent years. Not since the abolition threat of 1995 has the USGS faced such a large cut. There is still time to change the request, particularly if there is an outcry on behalf of the survey.
The Feb. 16 Wall Street Journal (page A12) carried the story Bush, Seeking to Make Room for Tax Cuts, Tightens Budgets for Science Agencies.
People are encouraged to contact the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Department of the Interior to express their concerns.
Posted by Rea Mueller 703-648-5954 FAX: 703-648-5939 e-mail: rlmueller@usgs.gov
1.2.1 Subject: National Wetlands Inventory Maps
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has halted production of National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps. They have identified a problem with their contract for production and will not be accepting orders until the problem is solved. They have requested that USGS not submit any NWI orders through DORRAN until further notice.
NWI digital data continues to be available free of charge via the NWI Web site at http://www.nwi.fws.gov
Customers can purchase paper and/or Mylar NWI maps for all but a few States from State Distribution Centers. Each center has established its own pricing structure, product types, and ordering procedures. There are currently no distribution centers for Alaska, California, Michigan, and Puerto Rico.
The USGS online address list, National Wetlands Inventory Maps Distribution, dated June 1998, has been discontinued. A State Distribution Centers address list, dated January 2001, has been produced by FWS and posted to the ASK USGS InfoNet internal Web site. http://sundid.er.usgs.gov/central/references/fws-nwi-distcenters.html
FWS will continue to maintain the State Distributors address list. The updates from the January 2001 list will be posted to their Web site in the near future. The ask.usgs.gov Web site providing NWI information now links to the FWS address list instead of the discontinued USGS address list. http://wetlands.fws.gov/state_distribution_centers.htm
1.2.2 Subject: Forest Service Visitor Maps
Through an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service, USGS is now able to sell Forest Service Visitor maps of the National Forests and National Grasslands. These maps have previously been available only from local or regional Forest Service offices and interpretive associations. Now, customers can order Forest Service Visitor Maps from the USGS along with topographic and geologic maps of the same areas.
Forest Service Visitor Maps contain general recreational information such as the location of campgrounds, visitor centers, ranger stations, and points of interest. They show fishing and biking areas, ownership and boundary information, but do not include contours. Printed primarily on paper, some Visitor Maps are also available on plastic.
Forest Service Visitor Maps for the Pacific Northwest region, the Rocky Mountain region, and parts of the Southwest region have been received and can be ordered from USGS Information Services, Box 25286, Denver, CO 80225 (FAX 303-202-4693). A preliminary list of Forest Service National Forest and National Grasslands maps is on the ESIC InfoNet internal Web site at: http://sundid.er.usgs.gov/central/references/fs-visitormaps-list.html
Maps will be added to the list as they are received. These maps cannot be ordered through Earth Explorer yet.
- Product code - paper editions: PP60 Price for paper editions: $7.50
- Product code - plastic editions: PP59 Price for plastic editions: $9.00
- Handling charge per order: $5.00
1.3 Library of Congress Geography and Map Division sponsors the 50th anniversary Special Project in summer of 2001
From: R. Hébert Chief
The Library of Congress Geography and Map Division will sponsor the 50th anniversary Special Project during the summer of 2001. As in past years, the 2001 Project will be limited to cooperative participants. University and college libraries in the United States are invited to participate in the 2001 Project according to the following procedures.
Qualified librarians, faculty members, or students will be accepted as cooperative participants. Sponsoring institutions are responsible for salaries and transportation expenses of the participants, and for all costs incurred in shipping materials selected by the participants. Project members are assigned to train/work with permanent staff members of the Geography and Map Division on various tasks related to technical processing, and bibliographic and reference services. Benefit to the participants and sponsoring institutions is twofold. In addition to the experience gained by working in a large research map library with highly qualified professionals, participants select maps, charts, and atlases from available duplicate stocks for transmittal to their sponsoring institutions. Projects being considered include organizing ESRI conference poster session materials, compiling a directory of GIS websites, processing Army Map Service cartographic materials, and creating records for and updating the Bibliography of Cartography and the Division's Pamphlet File.
The Project will begin on Monday, July 9 and conclude Friday, August 10. For maximum benefit to you and your institution, we encourage participation for the full 5 week period. Project members are expected to report at 9:00 a.m., July 9, to Room B02, James Madison Memorial Building, Library of Congress, 1st and Independence, S.E.
If you wish to be considered for the 2001 Project, please complete the attached questionnaire and return it along with a letter of intent to the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division, Washington, D.C. 20540-4650, FAX: 202-707-8531 or email (jheb@loc.gov) no later than March 31, 2001.
1.4 Top Ten Most Common Metadata Errors
A listing of the Top Ten Most Common Metadata Errors is now available at the FGDC Metadata Website: http://www.fgdc.gov/metadata/metadata.html go to tenth bullet Top Ten Metadata Errors (in PDF) you can either view or download the document.
1.5 LIBER's Groupe des Cartothecaires Working Group for Education's Who is Who in Map Librarianship.
A reminder that LIBER's Groupe des Cartothecaires Working Group for Education has a section on its website entitled Who is Who in Map Librarianship. If you would like to add your name and skills to this list, then it is possible to find a blank questionnaire at: http://www.maps.ethz.ch/gdc-education8.html
To view the full listing, take a look at: http://www.maps.ethz.ch/gdc-education6.html
1.6 The New York Public Library: Humanities and Social Sciences Library/Map Division
From: Alice Hudson ahudson@nypl to various lists, February 2001.
The New York Public Library Position Open: Librarian II (or Librarian I on a training basis) Humanities and Social Sciences Library/Map Division
Eligibility Requirements: ALA accredited MLS degree. Successfully demonstrated professional experience required for appointment at the Librarian II level. Undergraduate or graduate study in cartography, geography or social sciences preferred. Understanding of maps in all formats as reference/research tools. Working knowledge of at least one Western European language or Latin. Successfully demonstrated ability to work in a team environment, and tactfully and effectively with public . Experience in supervising and training staff preferred. Knowledge of computers and their application to reference service. Knowledge of the collections of The Humanities and Social Sciences Library preferred. Active participation in the profession through professional association and /or publication.
General Description: Under the direction of the Assistant Chief, [position open] monitors cartographic reference services. As a cartographic reference specialist, is responsible for keeping up-to-date and logically organized the Map Division's ready reference collection of maps, atlases, gazetteers and collateral materials. Responds to reference inquiries received by correspondence and telephone. Provides in-person assistance, usually by appointment, with the public and the Computer Mapping Workstation. Monitors day-to-day operation and technology migration for Computer Mapping Workstation. Off-desk responsibilities include assisting senior staff in ongoing operations and participating in teams, task forces and committees. Under supervision of the senior Map Cataloger is responsible for cataloging a discrete category of maps on an ongoing basis. Monitors and updates Map Division web pages, and assists with Library outreach initiatives, South Court classes and tours. Assists in selection of maps, atlases and new technologies related to cartography: software, CD-ROMs, etc. Performs related duties as required.To apply please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements to:
- The New York Public Library
- Human Resources Department AG-MAP
- 188 Madison Avenue, 5th Floor
- New York, New York 10016-4314
- Or email hrd@nypl.org
1.7 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Reference/ Data Services Librarian
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte has an opening for a Reference/Data Services Librarian. This is an excellent opportunity to join a library staff that is defining and implementing a set of refocused services to support the Information Commons featuring networked information systems in the Library's new state-of-the-art facility. There is a strong tradition of service to the undergraduate population and a philosophy of anywhere anytime access to materials. The Library has installed a new Integrated Library System (Innovative Interfaces' Millennium systems).
Responsibilities:
The successful candidate will be a member of a team developing and managing statistical and geographic data services, including archival and support services for full-text and numeric data (i.e. ICPSR data) in various machine-readable formats, as well as GIS initiatives and projects. He/she will:
- develop, implement, and review collection policies for data resources and software; provide consultation services and training; and create documentation for staff and users of economic and social sciences data files and GIS tools, as well as outreach services to other librarians, faculty and students
- further develop the unit's web site to deliver information, instruction, and data files to users
- share responsibilities for the dissemination of Census 2000 data as an Academic Affiliate of the NC State Data Center program
- make effective use of information resources at a busy public service point that combines both general and government sources
- perform liaison and collection development responsibilities commensurate with the candidate's academic background.
- Will serve on library and university committees.
- Will report to the Head of Research Data Services.
Qualifications:
Required: MLS from an ALA-accredited program. Substantial knowledge of microcomputer applications; excellent oral and written communication skills; good organizational skills; knowledge of electronic and print data sources in the areas of census, community or business information.Preferred: Economics, business or marketing research background. Experience in using machine-readable data, especially government survey/census data. Expertise with major statistical packages, e.g., SAS, SPSS. Two years public service experience providing access to statistical or geographic data. Academic background in or work experience with GIS software such as ArcInfo, ArcView, or MapInfo, and related data files. Ability to plan and implement innovative services responsive to user needs. Faculty liaison experience, experience in planning and presenting user education sessions, experience in developing web-based instruction or interactive map/data web sites. Preference will be given to candidates with previous relevant experience; however, recent and spring 2001 MLS graduates are encouraged to apply.
Status: Full-time, 12-month tenure-track contract with faculty rank. Salary: Competitive and dependent upon qualifications. Appointment at the rank of Interim Assistant Professor requires no professional experience beyond the MLS. Appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor requires a minimum of two years of professional experience with statistical or geographic data.
To Apply, Please send a letter of application, resume, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of three professional references to:
- Carole Runnion
- J. Murrey Atkins Library
- University of North Carolina at Charlotte
- 9201 University City Blvd.
- Charlotte, NC 28223 -0001
Review of applications will begin 3/15/01 and will continue until position is filled. For additional information visit our web site: http://libweb.uncc.edu/. Members of minority groups and persons with disabilities and women are encouraged to apply for this position.
2.1 New Mapping of Western North America by Ken Rockwell
WAML News & Notes