Users of geospatial data can now do more than ever, thanks to new
instruments, applications, software, and online tools that enable the creation
of digital maps and photos, satellite imagery, and geographic information system
(GIS) data. But with these new capabilities come new challenges for preserving
these digital assets in ways that ensure their availability for continued use in
the future. A key risk is that rapid changes in hardware, operating systems, and
software will make current storage media and data formats obsolete, leading to
the potential loss of valuable and often irreplaceable geospatial data and
information.
The Geospatial Data Preservation
Resource Center addresses the emerging need for preserving geospatial data
and related digital products as well as necessary documentation. The Resource
Center provides access to a wide range of online resources useful for geospatial
data management and long-term stewardship. The site provides quick links for
data managers, system developers, and researchers and enables users to search by
topic and for specific types of resources such as applications, reports,
standards, and tutorials. New resources are added to the Web site regularly.
CIESIN has developed the Geospatial Data Preservation Resource Center as an
element of the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation
Program (NDIIPP) of the
Library of Congress.
