Oregon Explorer: the evolution of a natural resources digital library at OSU

Janine Salwasser & Ruth Vondracek

Oregon State University Libraries

Oregon State UniversityLand, Sea, Space and Sun

Grant Institution

Situated close to federal/state research facilities

Home of the Institute for Natural Resources – Oregon University System

Sustaining natural resources is one of OSU’s five thematic focus areas (OSU Strategic Plan - 2004)

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OSU Libraries’ RoleGoals

Enhance digital collections in areas of historical strength and institutional excellence (e.g. natural resources)

Provide user centered service leading to user self-sufficiency

Collaborate with the Institute for Natural Resources and other academic institutions

MeansUse endowment funds as seed money for pilot projects

and staff developmentIncrease capacity for successful grant writingContinue successful fund raising Invest in and value what we have to offer as partners.

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Digital Libraries:Working definition: “… a managed environment of multimedia materials in

digital form, designed for the benefit of its user population, structured to facilitate access to its contents, and equipped with aids to navigate the global network …”

Mel Collier,ISDL’97,http://www.dl.ulis.ac.jp/ISDL97/proceedings/collier.htm

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Needs Assessment: What, When?2001 Goal: Create a natural resource digital library

based on what users want and need:ContentAccessGeographic ScopeUses and UsabilityServices

http://www.istl.org/02-winter/article2.html

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Needs Assessment:2001 FindingsUsers can articulate what they want and need from a

digital libraryUsers want a wide variety of information in a wide

variety of formatsTopics of greatest interest include: forestry, watersheds,

land and water usePlace matters…

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Importance of PlaceAccess to multiple spatial

scales wanted and needed:WatershedCountyBasinEcoregionStatePacific Northwest (incl.

British Columbia)

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“Always a need to anchor a natural resource issue with a geographic location.”

Dr. David Hulse, University of Oregon

Moving Forward with a Natural Resource Digital LibraryUsers were not aware of any accessible

system or digital library that enables:Spatial and non-spatial information discovery; Information integration and synthesis; Evaluation of information quality; and Social networking.

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Digital LibraryConceptual Framework

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Users

Web Portal

Data/Content Tools Expertise

Distributed Information

Resources

User Defined

Information Levels

Natural Resource Digital Library UsersNatural resource

decision-makersPublic AgenciesWatershed council

membersSoil and water

conservation district staffLocal plannersExtension agents

ScientistsResearchersLibrariansEducatorsStudentsMedia staffCitizen volunteersLandownersInterested public

Digital library prototype: Willamette Basin Explorer

Natural Resources Digital Library for Willamette Basin

Place-based resource

Supports informed natural resource decision-making

www.willametteexplorer.info

Launched in June, 2004

Oregon ExplorerNatural Resources Digital

Library for Oregon

Place-based resource

Supports informed natural resource decision-making

www.oregonexplorer.info

Launched in June, 2007

Current digital library services: Learn about critical

natural resource issues Browse multi-media

stories View data and make

custom maps and reports

Access archived digital information

View photos, and videos

Search datasets Download GIS data Access photos, imagery,

videos, audio files Contact the experts Submit content to

ScholarsArchive@OSU Give feedback

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Evolution of the Oregon ExplorerBasin Portals

e.g. Willamette Basin Explorer

Topic Portalse.g. Land Use Explorer

Data Portalse.g. Imagery Explorer

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Oregon Explorer PortalsCurrent In Development

Most popular features accessed:

Multimedia stories

Mapping tools

Visualization and reporting tools

Imagery

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Multimedia stories

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Mapping tools: basic and advanced

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Example of mapping tool product

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Visualization and reporting tools

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Oregon Explorer data portal:

Accessing Imagery

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Current Digital Library System Architecture

Partnerships provide full spectrum of expertise

Digital Library Development

Digital Library Content

Digital Library Funding

Digital Library Use and Usability

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Provide technological expertise for digital library infrastructureSupply the quantity, quality, depth and breadth of information collected and maintainedProvide opportunities for cost-sharing and fundraisingCreate an expanded community of interest and use

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Library

Information Systems

Computer

Natural Resources

Social

“Sciences”

Public Agencies

Planners

Educators

Conservation/Restoration Groups

Decision makers

Researchers

Content Providers and Users

Development Content $$$ Usability

Partnership Success FactorsShared community of interest Mutual benefits realizedExecutive championExpertise fit and availabilityMoney and in-kind contributions to move forwardEach participant has a good track record in collaboration,

communication, and outcomes.

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Value of Needs Assessment & PartnershipsOur needs assessment proved an important

process for identifying content and technology parameters

important to usersidentifying partners engaged in related activities

Participating in effective partnerships helps tomeet the users’ long term information needaddress long-term sustainability and stewardshipshare-costs and expertise

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Contacts

[email protected] [email protected]

Oregon State University Libraries121 The Valley LibraryCorvallis, Oregon 97331-4501

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