Abstract

During the Covid-19 pandemic, libraries closed their physical facilities, offered shorter hours, rearranged and removed furniture, shifted to distance service provision, and used geographic information systems to support information sharing. For several decades, library and information studies have used geographic information systems for multiple purposes, and this occurred more than ever during the Covid-19 pandemic. This research investigated different ways libraries and library agencies have been using geographic information systems to support information and resource sharing during the Covid-19 pandemic. The overarching goal was to demonstrate how libraries provide value to local communities and society. Interview research identified multiple mapping projects undertaken either in relation to or during the Covid-19 pandemic, including maps depicting public access to Wi-Fi Internet, library building status, inter-library loan receiving and sending status of libraries, and library usage data, as well as a state Covid-19 data dashboard. Interviewees reported using geographic information systems for ease of use, interactive data displays, comparing multiple data points, increasing engagement and awareness, tailoring services, and currency of reporting. Now that they have made some maps and seen how helpful the maps are for access, interviewees had many ideas for expansion of new mapping projects going forward.

摘要

在 Covid-19 大流行期间，图书馆关闭了物理设施，缩短了工作时间，重新布置和拆除了家具，转向提供远程服务，并使用地理信息系统来支持信息共享。几十年来，图书馆和信息研究已将地理信息系统用于多种目的，在 Covid-19 大流行期间这种情况比以往任何时候都多。这项研究调查了图书馆和图书馆机构在 Covid-19 大流行期间使用地理信息系统支持信息和资源共享的不同方式。总体目标是展示图书馆如何为当地社区和社会提供价值。访谈研究确定了与 Covid-19 大流行相关或在 Covid-19 大流行期间开展的多个测绘项目，包括描绘公共访问 Wi-Fi 互联网、图书馆建筑状态、图书馆的馆际互借接收和发送状态以及图书馆使用数据的地图，以及州 Covid-19 数据仪表板。受访者表示使用地理信息系统是为了便于使用、交互式数据显示、比较多个数据点、提高参与度和意识、定制服务和报告的流通性。既然他们已经制作了一些地图，并且看到这些地图对访问有多大帮助，受访者对未来扩展新的测绘项目有很多想法。受访者表示使用地理信息系统是为了便于使用、交互式数据显示、比较多个数据点、提高参与度和意识、定制服务和报告的流通性。既然他们已经制作了一些地图，并且看到这些地图对访问有多大帮助，受访者对未来扩展新的测绘项目有很多想法。受访者表示使用地理信息系统是为了便于使用、交互式数据显示、比较多个数据点、提高参与度和意识、定制服务和报告的流通性。既然他们已经制作了一些地图，并且看到这些地图对访问有多大帮助，受访者对未来扩展新的测绘项目有很多想法。