Expanding Library GIS Instruction to Web Mapping in the Age of Neogeography

Abstract

ABSTRACT The past two decades witnessed the flourishing of GeoWeb, a web infused with geospatial services and applications, which has given rise to a trend that non-experts are increasingly involved in creating digital maps, collecting spatial data, and developing mapping mashups or applications, known as neogeography. In light of that, the general public and researchers/students in higher education institutions are becoming increasingly interested in these technologies. However, a gap exists between the GIS educational programs offered by public/academic libraries in Canada and the fast developing web mapping technologies as well as the shifting needs of users. This article describes two web mapping workshop initiatives at a public library and an academic library, arguing web mapping technologies provides new opportunities to adapt ACRL Information Literacy to GIS education, and advocating academic and public libraries’ involvement in web mapping instruction in the age of neogeography.