Browsing by Author "Martindale, Jaime"

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    ArcGIS Pro Project Package (PPKX) Data Curation Primer
    (Data Curation Network, 2024) Kernik, Melinda; Work, Amy; Ranganath, Aditya; Martindale, Jaime
    From primer intro: ArcGIS Pro Project Packages are great for researchers sharing files within the same software environment (i.e. ArcGIS Pro), but the proprietary nature of the format and rapid versioning of the software makes decisions about long-term archiving difficult. ... This primer describes tips for opening and reviewing this overarching project file. Curators are encouraged to consult additional DCN Data Primers for curation checklists for component file types (like geodatabases and geotiffs).
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    Ephemeral Geodata: An Impending Digital Dark Age
    (Journal of Map & Geography Libraries, 2024-09-12) Majewicz, Karen; Martindale, Jaime; Kernik, Melinda; Mattke, Ryan
    Despite the unprecedented rate of geospatial data (“geodata”) generation, we are paradoxically creating a potential “dark age” in geospatial knowledge due to a failure to archive it. In the 20th century, map libraries systematically collected and preserved government-issued maps. However, many have not expanded to include digital formats, which have replaced paper maps in most domains. Compounding this issue is the prevailing practice among government data providers to continuously update public data without adequately preserving previous iterations, thus overwriting the historical record. Consequently, a pronounced gap has emerged in the availability of geospatial information, spanning from the end of the paper map era to the recent past. If unaddressed, this gap is poised to widen, severely impeding future longitudinal research. This paper assesses the current and predicted availability of state and local geographic information across various locations and time periods, analyzing academic map collections and public geodata. Central to our argument is the role of academic libraries in bridging this gap by collecting and preserving yesterday’s geodata. We advocate for libraries to ensure that historical geodata will be accessible for future scholars.