Map, GIS and Cataloging / Metadata Librarian Core Competencies

Abstract

Over the past ten years libraries have seen an increase in the amount and types of cartographic materials requested and used. The Occupational Outlook Handbook states that employment in areas which use map and GIS resources, such as surveyors, cartographers, photogrammetrists, and urban and regional planners will increase faster than average between 2006 and 2016. “Increasing demand for fast, accurate, and complete geographic information will be the main source of growth for these occupations ... Also, the increased popularity of online mapping systems has created a higher demand for and awareness of geographic information among consumers.”(U.S. Dept. of Labor, 2008). This growing demand calls for skilled professionals equipped with specialized knowledge of maps, geographic information systems (GIS) and all other cartographic resources, whether in hardcopy or digital form, and the cataloging of, or metadata creation for these same resources. Unfortunately, there is a noticeable absence of an authoritative resource detailing the skills required for this type of position. Thus, the MAGERT Education Committee has taken a leadership role in putting together documentation outlining core competencies in the map librarianship profession that previously did not exist. These Core Competencies outline and articulate the special skills needed to provide highquality professional support to users of cartographic and geospatial materials. At the ALA Annual Conference in Washington, DC, in June 2007, three Subcommittees of the MAGERT Education Committee were formed to create a preliminary draft of Map, GIS and Cartographic Materials Cataloging Core Competencies. The intention is that this competencies document will be distributed widely, and in many forms, to assist in the professional development life cycle: from student/faculty curriculum development to new professional to mid-career professionals or others who are new to the specialization, as well as administrators or personnel officers to assist in job descriptions and hiring in this area. Links and references at the end of this document will provide further support to all interested parties.