Number 153, Newsletter - Association of Canadian Map Libraries

              ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN MAP LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES
BULLETIN
ASSOCIATION DES CARTOTHÈQUES ET ARCHIVES CARTOGRAPHIQUES
DU CANADA
NUMBER 153/ SPRING/SUMMER 2016 NUMÉRO 153 / PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ/ 2016
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
ASSOCIATION OF CANADIAN MAP LIBRARIES AND ARCHIVES /
ASSOCIATION DES CARTOTHÈQUES ET ARCHIVES CARTOGRAPHIQUES DU CANADA
MEMBERSHIP in the Association of Canadian Map Libraries and
Archives is open to both individuals and institutions having an interest
in maps and the aims and objectives of the Association. Membership
dues are for the calendar year and are as follows:
Full (Canadian map field)... $45.00
Associate (anyone interested)... $45.00 ($35 US)
Institutional... $65.00 ($50 US)
Student... $20.00
Members receive the ACMLA Bulletin, the official journal of the
Association, which is published three times a year.
Officers of the Association for 2016/2017 are:
Peuvent devenir MEMBRES de l’Association des cartothèques et
archives cartographiques du Canada tout individu et toute institutions
qui s’intéressent aux cartes ainsi qu’aux objectifs de l’Association.
La cotisation annuelle est la suivante:
Membres actifs(cartothécaires canadiens à plein temps)... 45$
Membres associés (tout les intéressées)... 45,00$
Institutions... 65,00$
Étudiant... 20,00$
Le Bulletin de l’ACACC sera envoye aux membres trois fois par
annee.
Les MEMBRES DU BUREAU de l’Association pour
	 l’anne 2016/2017 sont:
Views expressed in the Bulletin are those of the contributors and do not necessarily reflect the
view of the Association.
The Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives gratefully acknowledges the financial
support given by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Les opinions exprimées dans le Bullein sont celles des collaborateurs et ne correspondent pas
nécessairement à celles de l’Association.
L’Association des cartothèques et archives cartographiques du Canada remercie le Conseil de
recherches en sciences humaines du Canada pour son apport financier.
1st Vice President / 1er Vice-Président
Vacant
Past President / Président sortant
Siobhan Hanratty
Data/GIS Librarian
Government Documents, Data, and Maps
UNB Libraries
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB
hanratty@unb.ca
Treasurer / Trésorier
Rebecca Bartlett
GIS and Digital Resources Librarian
MADGIC, Carleton University Library
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
treasurer@acmla-acacc.ca
Secretary / Secrétaire
Julie Jones
GIS & Map Librarian | Librarian for Geography
Research Commons, W.A.C. Bennett Library
Simon Fraser University
secretary@acmla-acacc.ca
President / Président
Deena Yanofsky
Liaison Librarian
Humanities & Social Sciences Library
McGill University, Montréal, Québec
president@acmla-acacc.ca
Vice President Communications and Outreach / vice-président aux
Communications et Rayonnement
Tracy Sallaway
Data and GIS Support Specialist
Maps, Data & Government Information Centre - Data & GIS
Thomas J. Bata Library
Trent University, Peterborough, ON
tracysallaway@trentu.ca
Vice President Professional Development / vice-président au
Développement professionel
Jason Brodeur
Manager, Maps/Data/GIS
Mills Memorial Library
McMaster University, Hamilton, ON
brodeujj@mcmaster.ca
ACMLA MAILING ADDRESS / ACACC ADRESSE D’AFFAIRES
Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives /
Association des cartothèques et archives cartographiques du Canada
PO Box 60095
University of Alberta Postal Outlet
Edmonton AB T6G 2S4
http://www.acmla.org
ACMLA Bulletin index available at http://toby.library.ubc.ca/resources/infopage.cfm?id=187
Bulletin Staff / Collaborateurs
Editor:
Eva Dodsworth
Geospatial Data Services Librarian
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
tel: (519) 888-4567 x 36931
email: edodsworth@uwaterloo.ca
New Books and Atlases Editor:
Vacant
New Maps Editor:
Cheryl Woods
Map & Data Centre
Western University
London, Ontario N6A 5C2
tel: (519) 661-3424
email: cawoods@uwo.ca
Reviews Editor:
Sarah Simpkin
GIS and Geography Librarian
University of Ottawa
309E, Bibliothèque Morisset Library
sarah.simpkin@uottawa.ca
Regional News Editor:
Tomasz Mrozewski
Data, GIS and Government Documents
Librarian / Bibliothécaire pour les
données, les services géospatials et les
documents gouvernementaux
Bibliothèque J.N. Desmarais Library
935 Ramsey Lake Road
Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6
tmrozewski@laurentian.ca
Geospatial Data and Software
Reviews Editor:
Andrew Nicholson
GIS/Data Librarian
University of Toronto at Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd. North
Mississauga, Ontario L5L 1C6
email: anichols@utm.utoronto.ca
GIS Trends Editor:
Barbara Znamirowski
Maps, Data and Government Information
Centre (MaDGIC)
Thomas J. Bata Library
TRENT UNIVERSITY
Peterborough, Ontario
Canada K9J 7B8
bznamirowski@trentu.ca
BULLETIN DE L’ACACC
NUMÉRO 153 PRINTEMPS/ÉTÉ 2016
ACMLA BULLETIN
NUMBER 153 SPRING/SUMMER 2016
ON THE COVER...
P. Forlani and F. Bertelli, 1565. From the “Lloyd Triestino Composite Atlas”, map 5.
Reproduced from an original in the National Map Collection, Public Archives of
Canada. This edition limited to 500 copies.
ACML Facsimile Map Series No. 51
Published in 1980 by ACMLA
Table of Contents
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE - Deena Yanofsky 2
50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE: Throwback Papers 3
Geospatial Information and the Future Context of
Map Library - Yves Tessier
GIS: Technology that Should Bring Government and 10
Libraries Together - David A. Cobb
Map Libraries, Map Librarians and Cartographers 13
- Yves Tessier
CARTO 2016 CONFERENCE SUMMARY, June 14-17 15
ACMLA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES 27
MAKING LAC FIRE INSURANCE PLANS MORE EASILY 34
ACCESSIBLE - Joël Rivard and Rebecca Bartlett
IMPROVING ACCESS TO DIGITAL HISTORICAL CENSUS 36
BOUNDARIES IN CANADA - Jeff Allen & Amber Leahey
STUDENT PAPER AWARD WINNER 	 	 43
Delineating East and West: Dutch Cartographers and
Divided Hungary, ca. 1570-1685 - Adrian Christ
REVIEWS 	 	 	 	 56
Designing Better Maps: A Guide for GIS Users
	 	 	 - Andrew Nicholson
Essential Earth Imaging for GIS - Tomasz Mrozewski
Glasgow: Mapping the City -Susan McKee
REGIONAL NEWS - Tomasz Mrozewski 	 	 60
NEW MAPS - Cheryl Woods 	 	 63
GIS TRENDS - Barbara Znamirowski 	 	 65
ACMLA MEMBERSHIP LIST 	 	 	 70
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
2
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
In June of 1967, the first meeting of the Association of Canadian Map Libraries was held, bringing together 70
professionals from across Canada to discuss common problems, a nationwide union catalogue of map holdings,
and other co-operative ventures to support a growing and vibrant map library community. Fifty years later, the
Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives continues to build on the legacy of our founding members,
serving as the representative professional group for Canadian map librarians, cartographic archivists, and
others interested in geographic information in all formats. Though the world of geographic information, services,
and resources has changed dramatically in recent years, the need for a national association representing the
full cross-section of the geo-information community’s interests is just as necessary, and important, as ever.
This special issue of the Bulletin is a celebration of our contributions to our field – looking back at the past
fifty years, the issues that have influenced our profession, and the changes that have shaped the current
information landscape.
As newly elected President, I am looking forward to working together to build on the work we have all contributed
to making a difference in the ever-changing world of geo-information collections, services, and research.
This year, the ACMLA Executive will be focussing in particular on enhancing opportunities for professional
development, exploring new platforms to publish our scholarship and research, and engaging members in open
communication in an effort to bring all of our voices together to create a strong, dynamic community for the future.
Deena Yanofsky
President, ACMLA
En juin 1967, la première réunion de l’Association des cartothèques du Canada a eu lieu, réunissant 70
professionnelles et professionnels de partout au Canada pour discuter de problèmes communs, un catalogue
collectif national des cartes, et d’autres entreprises coopératives afin de soutenir un plan de croissance de la
communauté dynamique des cartothèques. Cinquante ans plus tard, l’Association des cartothèques et archives
cartographiques du Canada continue de miser sur l’héritage de nos membres fondateurs, servant en tant que
représentant du groupe professionnel des cartothécaires, des archivistes cartographiques et autres personnes
intéressées par l’information géographique dans tous ses formats. Bien que le monde de l’information
géographique, des services, et des ressources ait considérablement changé au cours des dernières années,
la nécessité d’une association nationale qui représente la section transversale complète des intérêts de
la communauté de l’information géographique est tout aussi nécessaire, et importante, comme toujours.
Ce numéro spécial du Bulletin est une célébration de nos contributions à notre domaine - en regardant en
arrière au cours des cinquante dernières années, les questions qui ont influencé notre profession, et les
changements qui ont façonné le paysage de l’information actuelle.
En tant que la nouvelle Présidente, j’ai hâte de continuer le travail sur lequel nous avons tous contribué afin
de continuer à faire une différence dans ce monde en évolution constante des collections de l’information
géographique, les services, et la recherche. Cette année, l’exécutif de l’ACACC se concentrera en particulier
sur l’amélioration des possibilités de perfectionnement professionnel, d’explorer de nouvelles plateformes
afin de publier nos études et recherches, et des éléments d’engagement en communication ouverte dans
un effort d’apporter toutes nos voix ensemble pour créer une forte communauté dynamique de demain.
Deena Yanofsky
Présidente, ACACC
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
3
ACMLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Throwback Papers
The Map Library developed as a new field of
practice in specialized libraries during the
1950’s and 1960’s. Based on traditional library
models, this new profession generated service
centres offering cartographic documentation
(current and old maps, atlases, aerial and satellite
photos), the development of a new and distinct
field of knowledge - map librarianship, tools
for document standardization (ISBD-CM and
standards for cataloguing cartographic documents),
and the creation of map library associations on
an international, national, and regional level.
The recent advent of geospatial information (or
spatially referenced information) and of geomatics
(the science that manages this information) has
introduced a new perspective on the delivery of
information services which up to this moment
was dependant on traditional print methods. In
this text, we will present the growth of this new
information paradigm offered by map libraries,
and the possible consequences to the management
and the organization of services. Equally, we
will show the state of geomatics within map
libraries in the province of Quebec, using the
help of a survey completed in the Fall of 1997.
1. THE GROWTH OF THE NEW MULTI-DISCIPLINARY
INFORMATION PARADIGM : GEOSPATIAL INFOR-MATION
1.1 The origins of map libraries within libraries
Map libraries began to develop in the U.S. during the
1950’s and in Canada during the 1960’s, primarily
in university environments. Often map libraries
would begin within Departments of Geography, but
would eventually become integrated within the main
research library. We begin to see the start of a new
information area with its own method of organization
that is based on similar library structures. The first
edition of the Directory of Canadian Map Collections
(Tessier and Winearls, 1969) lists 87 existing
map collections (including archival collections).
A new information profession is born, map librarians
with a background in either Geography/ Cartography
or Library Science (often times both simultaneously).
Presently, we number many professional associations:
Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives
- ACMLA (founded 1967), Geography and Map
Division of the Special Libraries Association, ALA
Map and Geography Roundtable - MAGERT, Western
Association of Map Libraries (Western United
States), Map Librarian Group of the Association of
European Research Libraries - LIBER, the Section
of Geography Libraries and Map Libraries of the
International Federation of Library Associations
and Institutions - IFLA. A new information field
(map librarianship) emerges and becomes a specific
topic with practical manuals (Harold Nichols, 1976
and Mary Larsgaard, 1978). With ISBD-CM and the
publication of a manual of interpretation for AACR2
for cartographic materials (Hugo Stibbe, 1982),
bibliographic map description was standardized.
Map libraries have evolved into a new form of
specialized Library as well as a new professional
field. This debut has also given way to the new arrival
of geospatial information.
1.2 The emergence of geospatial information and
geomatics
GEOSPATIAL INFORMATION AND THE FUTURE CONTEXT OF MAP LIBRARIES
ACMLA Bulletin Number 104, Winter 1999
Yves Tessier
Chief Map Librarian
Library, Université Laval
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
4
The advent of geospatial information and geomatics
began with computer assisted cartographic systems
and the development of geocoded information, or a
link between data and a geographical feature. We
then see the appearance of Geocoded Information
Processing Systems and Geographic Information
Systems (GIS).
Geomatics starts as a science for managing
spatially referenced information. The first groups
to generate data were also the first to consume
this data afterwards: planners (Governments
and Municipalities) or infrastructure managers
(telephone, power, gas, roads, etc.). Basic digital
data (topography, cadastral survey, communication
networks) is completed more and more by other
digital datasets (land use, forest and urban inventory).
Newly acquired raw geospatial information
also complements existing printed paper maps.
1.3 The development and accessibility of new spatial
analysis capabilities
Software tools that process digital information are
becoming more functional and accessible. Spatial
analysis functions are being enhanced in GIS, and
the range of geomatics applications also becomes
more broad (socio-economic analysis, marketing of
services, etc.).
We equally see a liberalization in accessing information
(presently only socioeconomic statistics) generating
a growth in potential users. Documentation tools
have become more varied: electronic atlases,
customized map atlases created from databases,
software allowing the creation of superimposed
layers of information including multimedia, etc.
A new multi-disciplinary information paradigm is
emerging:
•new sources of information become available
•new customers arrive with different document needs
•map libraries have to anticipate requests for new
services.
We must now consider offering unique services
based on a new category of data requiring a specific
management and delivery infrastructure, new skills
and guidelines for usage.
2. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF
GEOMATICS WITHIN THE LIBRARY SYSTEM
The introduction of Geomatics into map libraries
and library systems started with a partnership
between the Association of Research Libraries and
the ESRI Company who developed a user-friendly
GIS software called ArcView. The first two phases of
the ARL GIS Literacy Project (1990-1994) allowed
70 map libraries free access to the ArcView software,
geospatial data, an introductory training session, and
user support.
In Canada, Phase 3 of the American project
(1995) allowed the introduction of geomatics
into approximately 30 map libraries. Afterwards,
a dialogue between the Canadian Association of
Research Libraries (CARL), the Association of
Canadian Map Libraries and Archives (ACMLA),
and the Canadian Association of Public Data Users
(CAPDU) helped in May of 1996 to establish a Canada
wide agreement for collaboration towards the
progress of geomatics: “GIS in Canadian Libraries
Initiative (GCLI)”. A working group was created
to further develop geomatics in map libraries and
study the following five aspects: access to GIS
software, access to Canadian datasets, training
staff/personnel, establishing regional databanks,
and establishing links or connections with other
partners. In the province of Quebec, geomatics is
slowly being introduced in some map libraries. Under
the supervision of the CREPUQ Working Group on
the Access to Resources, a second sub-group on
geomatics in map libraries was established in June of
1997. Its mandate was to establish a plan of action for
developing access to geospatial data, with particular
attention to data from the province of Quebec, and
to share available expertise and experience already
achieved within the university libraries of Quebec.
ACMLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Throwback Papers
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
5
At the government level, a major and strategic study
administered by the “Centre de developpement de
la geomatique (1997)” is presently under way to
determine the accessibility of geospatial data in
Quebec.
3. THE PLANNING OF GEOMATIC SERVICES IN MAP
LIBRARIES: KEY QUESTIONS
The planning of geospatial information services raises
new questions because of its innovative character
and the importance of information technologies. The
ARL publication titled Transforming Libraries: Issues
and Innovations in Geographic Information Systems
(George J. Soete, 1997) brings to the forefront
important questions. Below is a condensed version of
the questions from the above-mentioned publication.
3.1. Which services to offer?
•Analysis of needs to satisfy in terms of data and the
ability to process the data
•Analysis of user types and their ability to access GIS
independently
•Evaluation of services requested by users •Definition
of services to offer and training needs
•Trend towards independent access by users
•Examination of training partnerships with teaching
faculties
•Emphasis on a library “clearinghouse” role where
data and metadata, including those produced locally,
are distributed
3.2. Which collections to develop?
•Base data: general or national data, administrative
boundaries, geostatistical boundaries, topography,
cadastral surveys, road networks, etc.
•Thematic data •Regional and municipal data
•Locally produced data
•Partnerships with data producers 3.3. Who will
ensure support?
•A certain expertise level required
•Content evaluation also required
•Advanced GIS expertise? Or rather an individual
with comprehensive experience needed to develop
a databank, manage services, find, develop, and
operate resources, develop partnerships, and
promote new services for new users
3.3. How to train personnel and users?
•The learning curve is considerable for staff and
users
•Relearn the profession within a new paradigm
•Use available tutorials and documentation •Wider
range of university education
•Create customized training sessions •Combine
training with data service librarians •Make use of
university departments that teach GIS
•Share expertise among organizations •Become
familiar with the contents and not only the technology
•Make users more self-sufficient
3.4. With whom to collaborate?
•Internally, collaborate with the person in charge
of digital data, specialized advisors in various
subjects, computer scientists, network and server
administrators •Externally, collaborate with
researchers, geographical information laboratory
technicians, professors, governments and non-governmental
producers, local agencies, software
and service providers
•Support collective coalitions that favour consortiums
for data access or that represent common interests
•Play the “neutral” card that libraries have compared
to departments and faculties, when it comes to asking
for data, support, and distributing information
3.5. How and where to store data?
•Local servers or allocated space on central
computers?
•Collective servers?
•National or regional servers presently being
developed through data providers
•FTP transfer trends instead of on-site storage (“just
in time” rather than “just in case”)
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3.6. What is the cost structure?
•Equipment: less critical than in the past, a good
quality PC will suffice
•Software: limited number, group buying will lower
costs
•Data accessibility: prohibitive prices at this time,
FTP consortium is needed
•Initial and continuous training: significant but
essential cost
•User support: important and again essential cost
•Development strategy in progressive steps
For an overview of the development of geomatics
in European map libraries, consult the Bulletin du
Comite frangais de cartographie (1998).
4. TYPES OF SERVICES TO OFFER
Under these guidelines for development, we can
then outline a range of user services on a continuum
towards a growing specialization.
4.1. Consulting electronic atlases
•Expansion of electronic services already offered
with print documents
•Limited expertise required, CD-ROM type service
4.2. Access services for data and metadata (descriptive
data)
•These services are a high priority for libraries
•Make data available and accessible to independent
specialists and to new users •Favour accessibility and
promote development of metadata for organizations
(including cataloguing of local production)
•Distribute information on new developments,
projects, and innovative techniques (clearinghouse
role)
4.3. Visualization and basic cartography
•Data display through GIS tools (systems, softwares)
•Offer various technical processing capabilities
(projections, coordinates, conversions, etc.)
•Basic map production and map printing 4.4. Spatial
analysis
•Give access to spatial analysis tools •Production of
maps or “compilations” for users Some libraries are
setting up GIS Centres or are intensively developing
services with the help of software providers and data
production partnerships.
5. RECENT SURVEY OF GEOMATICS IN QUEBEC MAP
LIBRARIES
A survey of geomatics in Quebec map libraries was
conducted during the Fall of 1997 by the working
sub-group of the CREPUQ.* The goal of the survey
was to report on the status of geomatics and to
identify development support needs in order to
establish priorities for action.
Below is an overview of survey results and general
conclusions.
5.1. Collections Eight out of eleven respondents have
electronic documents in their map libraries, seven of
which have electronic atlases. The true position of
map libraries in Quebec becomes clear when noted
that only five possess raw geospatial data and three
map libraries have a collection development policy
for electronic resources.
A fact first noted was that: only three map libraries
within the province of Quebec have presently
genuinely initiated the “GIS transition”. These
transitions were most likely completed because
of institutional influences as respondents also
answered positively when the survey asked if they
had GIS related software developed at their university.
Two additional map libraries have come close
to making their GIS transition because it was
noted in the survey that five map libraries
have raw data, five map libraries (the same?)
use GIS; ArcView is being used in five map
libraries, and Maplnfo is being used in only two.
Locating electronic products is by on-line catalogue
(in five cases), by consulting paper lists (in 3 cases),
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Throwback Papers
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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and by web page (in 2 cases). Geographical name
datasets are still rarely used; three respondents are
presently using one or two.
The results of the first portion of the survey clearly
show that map libraries lack geospatial data: the few
map libraries that have initiated the “GIS transition”
possess only a few documents of that nature. Could
this mean that the “GIS transition” has not taken place
within Quebec map libraries and that we are starting
to fall behind considerably in comparison to others?
It is hard to draw this conclusion without more
information about the situation elsewhere in Canada.
However, the existing policy for the distribution
of geospatial data largely explain the poverty of
available collections. For example, the digital format
of a topographical map may cost approximately 50
times more than its paper version.
5.2. Services and Users
Only four map libraries offer orientation activities.
Six have a specific policy for data release and use.
In terms of user support and direct help, five map
libraries offer minimal support, six leave users to
work by themselves and answer questions, one
assists users throughout the entire process and only
one centre produces customized maps for users.
In terms of services offered to users, three centres
refer users to existing or new data available
elsewhere, four download data on request, four store
data on-site and offer on-site access, four offer a
reference service and basic cartographic service and
none offer more advanced cartographic or spatial
analysis services.
Only two map libraries have established a
collaboration with faculties and departments.
The number of users registered by libraries are as
follows: five have fewer than five users per week, and
only one map library reports five to ten weekly users.
5.3. Training and Expertise
Survey respondents confirm the lack of required
expertise in organizing and using geospatial datasets.
Only one centre asserts that their expertise level
is satisfactory and six others say the opposite.
In terms of training received: two centres report formal
training on GIS software, six had an introduction to
GIS softwares, and three had other forms of training.
Two comments were received regarding the
distinctive expertise that the respondents had
developed. The comments refer to knowledge of
Canadian and American standards for metadata,
developments by the province of Quebec, and to the
preparation of training course for Softmap users.
Eight answers were received regarding the use
of statistical digital data. Three respondents
stated that they were working with statistical
data via the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)
while five respondents indicated they were not.
5.4 Equipment
The computer systems used are Windows 95 (5),
Windows 3.1 (2), and Windows NT (1). The survey
shows the dominance of Windows 95 and the use of
individual stations instead of a network setup. The
number of workstations available to users varies
considerably: no work stations (1), 1 station (4),
4 stations (1), 100 stations (1). In the last example
at McGill, the number includes 42 workstations
in the GIS laboratory (Geography Department)
that are part of the map library, plus other work
stations on campus that have GIS “capacity”. All
the reported stations are linked to the Internet.
Four (out of eight) respondents offer colour printing;
three control the quantity and two charge fees.
Maintenance of equipment is done primarily by a
technician (in three cases) or analyst (in two cases)
within the library network, by an analyst and GIS
technician (in one case), and by the Map librarian
(in one case). The fact that most map libraries are
linked to main libraries explains this situation.
ACMLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Throwback Papers
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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From these results, it is apparent that equipment
is up to date, that accessibility reflects the demand,
and that technical support seems to be appropriate.
5.5 Needs and Expectations Respondents were asked
to comment on their needs and expectations. The
first three priorities are as follows:
•Sharing of experience and expertise
•Basic training in GIS
•Access to basic geospatial data for teaching
This selection in priorities reflects this general
situation: we are still taking the first steps towards
the implementation of GIS and geospatial data in
map libraries.
In the second question, people were asked to express
their expectation for the working group. There
were five answers. Many topics were brought up
and can be grouped as follows: sharing of resources
and expertise, access to Quebec government data,
and training. In terms of “sharing of resources and
expertise”, one of the participants suggested the
following project: establish a web site of Internet
references common to Quebec map libraries and
augmented by contributions from other map
libraries.
5.6 Primary conclusions The situation with respect
to GIS in Quebec map libraries can be summarized
as follows:
• the “GIS transition” has begun within only half of
map libraries
• there is a lack of availability of data
• the services offered are diverse and varied
• the number of users remains low
• the absence of basic expertise is unfortunate
• training was mainly focussed on software
• some interest in metadata
• DLI statistical data is still in limited use
• Windows 95 platform and independent work
stations are preferred
• limited work stations are available (except in one
case)
The survey clearly shows that for geospatial
data in map libraries, we are still in the infancy
stage, that we need to develop many aspects
simultaneously (sharing, training, access to data),
and emphasis on partnership development.
6. PLAN OF ACTION
The situation with map libraries in Quebec regarding
geomatics and the anticipated needs allows us to
realize some plans for action on a medium term basis:
• Assessment of specific expertise within each
university in order to create a pool of resources and
expertise, develop partnerships between universities
and other institutions that have established similar
action priorities;
• More advanced use of geospatial data through
the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI), with the help
of ArcView GIS software, with intensive training on
ArcView and Statistics Canada data, and a closer
partnership with better organised data services in
universities;
• To establish and define educational groups in order
to demonstrate and promote Canadian and Quebec
geospatial data to users;
• Identification of needs and assessment of geospatial
data accessibility conditions in Quebec within the
framework of a more realistic government access
policy;
• Expansion of basic GIS training suitable for Map
librarians and activities to insure that knowledge
remains up to date;
• Participation in initiatives towards the progress of
GIS in libraries across Quebec and Canada.
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7. CONCLUSION
The recent growth of geospatial data as an
indispensable source of spatial information, and
knowledge combined with a new expertise to master,
imposes upon map libraries a new context and
complex challenge for future information services.
Development of new information sources, more
powerful software tools, improved delivery via the
Internet, new users to train in this emerging area of
information service - these are the key elements that
will initiate the “second debut” of map libraries in
the next millennium.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Yves Tessier Chief Map Librarian (June 1964 to April 1998)
Universite Laval Library.
Comite frangais de cartographie (1998). Bulletin, no 154-
155, December 1997-March 1998, 80p. Issue devoted
to cartographic documentation: standards, geographic
indexing, introduction to map libraries and professional
associations in France, cataloguing, multimedia atlases,
digitization of cartographic documents. Please note section
(pp.63-75) lists different Internet sites on cartographic,
documentation and professional interest subjects.
Larsgaard, Mary Lynette. 1978. Map librarianship: an
introduction. Littleton, CO: Libraries Unlimited. 382 p.
2nd ed.: 1987
Nichols, Harold. 1976. Map librarianship. London : C.
Bingley. 298 p.
Soete, George J. 1997. Transforming libraries: issues and
innovations in geographic information systems. Spec kit
219.
Washington, D.C: Association of research libraries. 39p.
Stibbe, Hugo, comp. 1982. Cartographic materials: a
manual of interpretation for AACR2. Chicago: American
Library Association, 258 p.
Tessier, Yves et Joan Winearls. 1969. Repertoire des
collections de cartes canadiennes. Association des
cartotheques canadiennes. 72 p.
* Sub-group on GIS or geospatial data founded in June
1997 by the library sub-committee of the CREPUQ with the
following members: Anastassia Khouri (McGill University),
Pierre Lepine (Bibliotheque nationale du Quebec), Pierre
Roy (Universite du Quebec a Montreal), Onil Dupuis
(research officer at Crepuq) et Yves Tessier (Universite
Laval), president of the sub-group.
Centre de developpement de la geomatique (1997). Etitde
strategique sur Vechange de donnees a reference spatiale
(DRS) au Quebec: sommaire executif. Quebec: Le Centre,
1997. 4p. Text translated by Martine Rocheleau (Map
Library, University of Ottawa) and Marc L. Depocas.
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“As a cartographer of 32 years I can assure you that you
have undertaken a task that is daunting. By your own
admission, you are untrained. You have no experience,
other than that of utilizing ARC View software. You are
even contemplating going into business, yet have no
idea as to how much your services are worth. Worse yet,
you will probably want to give away data, due to guilt.
Please, please, please leave the map making industry
alone. We have already spent needless amount of
hours and money trying to undue the damage that
you folk have inflicted upon our clients by confusing
the issues of GPS, GIS, AM/FM, Photogrammetry,
Business GIS and DeskTop Mapping. Additionally,
you above anyone else, should be aware of copyright
issues that you may or may not infringe upon.”
The above quote was a response on Maps-L when
someone asked for advice on the use of ArcView
in a library setting. We have far to go in converting
some “professionals” to the more recent research
tools being used in libraries and, too often, the
quote reflects the attitude of government officials
regarding our use of GIS technology and data. It may
be too soon for them to realize but as one colleague
recently remarked: “This isn’t the kind of library
my mother used to work in.” Indeed, the times are
changing and geographic information systems are
providing powerful graphical tools for libraries
and allowing them to create partnerships that
would not have been possible just a short time ago.
But, let us take a brief historical perspective before
we become too enamored with this new technology.
We need not go back to the days of papyrus or clay
tablets but let us remember the almost forgotten 3”
x 5” catalog card. Most libraries have closed their
card catalog and many others have converted them
to online catalogs and this is simply reformatting.
The addition of bibliographic databases into these
online catalogs, i.e. Academic Index, Geo-Ref, etc.,
is also simple reformatting. The early electronic
atlases, i.e. PC-Globe, US Atlas, were also simple
reformatting non-interac tive slide shows. The
introduction of GIS brought together software and
segmented databases. Initially, these covered very
small, almost micro, geographic areas and were
dominated by environmental studies. If your library
happened to be in the area of coverage you might be
interested but the technology remained cumbersome,
problematic, and very non-user-friendly. The major
change occurred, in the United States, with the
TIGER line files and the advent of the 1990 census.
Suddenly, we had a rich national database and it
could be combined with similarly rich geographic
datafile despite its flaws. Out of this has grown
several datasets now known to libraries worldwide:
ArcWorld, ArcUSA, Wessex ProFiler, Maplnfo
data, StatCan, and Macon USA to name but a few.
The next level - we’re not there yet - will involve the
use of numeric data. Some statistical libraries are
using and downloading data from different sites
but are not taking advantage of GIS technology to
‘Map It!’. It is the ‘Map It’ option that will make map
libraries in the near future a very popular place
to be and the students will come - Just Build It!
Libraries, in general, passed on numeric data and
technology as a whole in the 1950’s and 1960’s leading
to the development of computer centers, social
science quantification laboratories. Essentially, we
were not prepared then to commit to the technology
ACMLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Throwback Papers
GIS: TECHNOLOGY THAT SHOULD BRING
GOVERNMENT AND LIBRARIES TOGETHER
ACMLA Bulletin Number 98, Winter 1997
David A. Cobb
Head Harvard Map Collection
Harvard University
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
11
and yet a variety of analytical faculty required it and
several centers were established. Today, however,
is a different time. We now have powerful personal
computers, powerful software, and many experienced
librarians that will seize the opportunity at this time.
I believe the use of numeric data will be a much
larger change (dare I say revolution?) for libraries
than they may themselves perceive because they
have avoided it in the past and it may now infringe
on current academic and government territory.
Why should we consider using numeric data?
First, there is a small country to your south that
provides significant amounts of government data
to its libraries and other constituents. Let us be
aware that nothing is really free and cataloging and
providing access to numeric data can sometime be
more difficult. Secondly, information available via
the Internet and the World Wide Web increases at
a phenomenal rate. And, finally, we now have the
equipment, the software, and the staff potential to
use this data. I realize that not everyone is at this
level but you may be surprised how close you are.
Given the opportunity to take advantage of the
technology I then see that libraries have two very
important options. The first is Access and, technically,
this is our minimum library obligation. In the U.S. this
is a government depository library obligation but
it must go beyond. We must be prepared to Service
this technology as our other obligation. Perhaps it
is the reference librarian in me but do we not help
users when they ask a question after we have handed
them a book or a map? We cannot, not should not,
segregate digital data away from library service.
There are significant library organizational
implications to the above and, at a minimum, this
initiative requires library administration support.
This is certainly not shrink-wrap technology, at least
not yet. There are training demands and these should
be supported. One person CAN’T do acquisitions,
administration, reference, cataloging, preservation,
AND GIS! Or, if they can, they won’t do it for long!
When it comes to equipment you need the biggest,
the baddest, and the fastest machine that money
can buy - it is as simple as that. Whatever you
do, DO NOT purchase anything that matches the
minimum requirements for anything because that
configuration is probably already out of date. You
must also plan to update equipment every three to
four years and it remains difficult for administrators
to understand why you must upgrade that 486 they
got such a good deal for just last year. Most data from
local sources will be like maps - those paper things
from the old days - free. Even though this may be
true for most locales in the U.S., and only wishful
thinking in most of Canada, I believe that you may be
able to work with local commercial and government
sources to establish alliances and partnerships. One
successful example of this can become the shining
example referred to and lead to many more.
Governments must learn that cooperative
partnerships are as much to their advantage, and
maybe even more so, as it is to yours and that a wider
audience is introduced to the technology, data, and
its useful public action. At the same time you will
have to look harder; few governments publish lists of
available GIS datasets as the technology is changing
so rapidly.
Similarly, libraries will have to compare federal ‘free’
data with similar ‘cost’ data from commercial vendors.
It must be weighed for monetary value, ease of use,
and number of users that can be serviced in a period
of time (sorry to sound like the local Petro Canada
but we too must move people through so to speak).
Usually, the federal data, albeit free, always loses
when compared to various value-added commercial
software and data. Any federal census ages rapidly as
does all other data. It is then that other local sources
can be used to update and project population trends
and these are almost always numeric data: birth
rates, school enrollments, housing sales, income, etc.
There are time implications, as alluded to above, with
this technology. This is very seldom your five minute
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reference interview. Our situation at Harvard deals
mainly with social science data but is beginning to
include more geocoding, personal data mapping,
and a typical reference question may last an hour
and some are longer. You won’t always do mapping;
if you have large datasets your users may wish to
subset numeric data, copy to a floppy, and take
it to their room or department to work with it.
Currently, I do not see smaller research libraries able
to adopt this technology into their services strategy
without technical expertise consulting. It is not that
they cannot ‘play with it a bit’ and provide some
Access to it, but I do not believe they can really provice
Service. The initial time requirements for training and
equipment set-up are usually stagering; it is related
to any home improvement project - estimate the time
and cost and then at least double it. Furthermore,
technical support will always remain an issue. It will
also attract users that you have never seen before
i.e. Public Health, Biology, and maybe even History.
I also see four dark sides to GIS.
Privacy - increasingly databases are getting closer
to our individual addresses and marketing may
be able to “target” individuals and families; Data
Quality - data is hard to find; data is difficult
to access; data is not always current; data is
almost always undocumented; and data is often
incomplete. This is an area where libraries and
government could cooperate to each other’s benefit.
Technology vs. Traditional Library Documentation
- how are we going to balance costs, staff, and
services related to technology with continuing
print resources? I worry that some libraries are
all too embrasive of the technology and that
traditional collections are, or will be, slighted.
Archiving: Access vs. Ownership - Who is
responsible for archiving? How often should an
archive be made? Who is responsible for creating
bridges from old technologies to new? What will
be our relationship with our users when we don’t
own the material but simply pay a licensing fee to
access the data somewhere else? How dependable
is that source: today? Tomorrow? in the future? Old
data is often of little use to those managing ‘state
of the art’ systems, but often critical to libraries.
And what of GIS and the Internet? One national
library has suggested that they may place one
million images on the WWW; now that is just
need. Since the Net continues to be much like the
Wild Wild West let me suggest a cowboy-type
idea: would it not perhaps be more profitable - I’m
thinking of searching now - to have regional centers
such as Dalhousie for the Maritimes and Harvard
for New England. These centers would establish
cartographic WEB collections for their area and
then could be linked to various national collections.
The whole issue of standards: image size (in
MB, not cm.), color targets, use of facsimiles
vs. originals, types of scanners; these issues
are not being discussed in the map community,
but should be, with various technical advisors.
Let me suggest the use of the Internet as a reference
source. Could it not be used to develop the capability
of placing specific images on a website for a specific
query or research project. For example, we currently
have 3,000 fire insurance maps on CD’s; they will
probably never be totally available on the WEB
but what if someone were studying early Boston
and wanted to see a particular area in 1867, 1883,
1892, and 1906? I think it might be possible to
develop a ‘Reference Shelf as part of our WEB
page, place these images there for a week, let the
researcher in Newfoundland download them, and
they can then use them as needed. If they need to
visit Harvard, that’s fine, but they may not need to.
My experience tells me, at this very early period, that
we may be worrying ourselves too much over how
we get a 100 MB image file over the WEB when few
computers or networks can deliver it, AND when the
student or scholar on the other end would be very
pleased to receive a 4 MB black and white image. In
other words, maps are more than pretty pictures,
they convey information; let’s not complicate it.
And finally, someone should have told me, and 1
will tell you: “Some Assembly May Be Required!”
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There is an interesting correlation in the history of
cartology (yet to be written) between cartographers
and map librarians. Although cartographers have
existed and produced maps for a long time, their
natural counterparts, map librarians, came into
existence only very recently. Map collecting began at
the same time as the gathering of printed materials.
Both books and maps were collected in large
repositories of knowledge called libraries or archives,
mainly for the sake of keeping these intellectual
artifacts from destruction. You have certainly heard
of the existence of the Map Room of the British
Museum; le Departement des cartes et plans de la
Bibliotheque nationale de France; the Geography
and Map Division of the Library of Congress or the
Map Division of the Public Archives of Canada, now
known as the National Map Collection. But, until
recently, what was known more than that? Archivists
looked after maps mainly for their archival interest.
Librarians were rather bored by these bunches of
paper impossible to unroll and shelve. Neither were
to blame for reasons too long to explain at this time.
MAP LIBRARIANSHIP
It is also interesting to note that war almost gave
birth to map librarianship. When World War II
ended, government offices in the United States
were crowded with tons of surplus topographic
maps. Why not create map depots to get rid of this
embarassing material no longer of strategic value?
This is the way in which many map libraries came
into being. The emergence of geographic studies on
larger scales came and gave a sense to this garbage
disposal operation. Authentic geographic education
was not conceivable without maps which then began
to be considered as valid records of knowledge
and information...like books. Then appeared map
librarians as a professional body, around the forties
in the United States, and in the sixties in Canada. As
a matter of fact, the Geography and Map Division
of the Special Libraries Association, that is to say
the association of American map libraries, was
founded in 1941, and its Canadian counterpart
the Association of Canadian Map Libraries/
Association des cartotheques candiennes, in 1967.
Both communities, of cartographers and map
librarians, can no longer ignore each other or
live apart, since they are involved in the same
communications process, at different stages. If we
refer to cartography as an act of communicating
ideas in geo-graphic form by means of a physical
substratum called a map, we refer to an intellectual
communication between a map maker and a map user.
In this scheme, we must not forget that this
level of intellectual communication is possible
only after a physical communication took place
between the map itself, which conveys the message,
and the user. It is here that the justification of
map librarianship lies: in serving as an interface
between map production and map utilisation.
MAP LIBRARIES
To cartographers, map rooms are as essential as
plotters’ rooms or should be so to say the least. Map
libraries are essential at three levels in cartography:
A. AT THE CONCEPTUAL STAGE OF MAP PRODUCTION
ACMLA 50TH ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTE
Throwback Papers
MAP LIBRARIES, MAP LIBRARIANS AND CARTOGRAPHERS
ACMLA Bulletin Number 16, November, 1974
Yves Tessier, official representative
Association of Canadian Map Libraries/
Association des cartotheques canadiennes
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
14
A cartographer has to process data into graphic form.
He must collect information from many sources and
among these sources existing maps are certainly not
insignificant. He must compare what he has in mind
with what other cartographers have previously done
with similar subjects. The map library should be the
cartographer’s current reading room.
B. - IN THE GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION TRANSFER
PROCESS
Geographic information is characterised by its geo-location.
The most efficient way of communicating
this geo-located information is undoubtedly a
map. A map library is to a geographic information
user as a “straight” library is to a literature
oriented user. In many instances, a map library
comprises not only maps and atlases but books,
periodicals and pictures of geographic interest.
C. - IN THE CARTOGRAPHIC EDUCATION PROCESS
Can sound cartographic education be possible
without intense use of maps as teaching tools and
research materials? Cannot the map library be
considered as one of the focal points of cartographic
education? as the best place for continuous exposure
to map production? In this era of continuing
education, should not students be trained to
keep themselves informed and up to date on
map production, once the relationship professor-student
is over? I used to say that documentation is
among the best way to promote self education and
among the least expensive too, since this concept
involves using existing resources more intelligently.
MAP LIBRARIANS
What to say about the map librarian himself? Besides
on-the-job training, more and more of them have
formal backgrounds in geography, cartography,
history, information science or librarianship.
They are or all want to be information specialists,
information “brokers” for the benefit of users. They
are just willing to play their role in a team-teaching-oriented
education.
These are a few dozen of them in Canada. They are
very active within their Association of Canadian
Map Libraries. The aim of this association is to
further the professional knowledge of its members
and to promote general interest in map libraries
and knowledge of maps. These objectives can be
accomplished by encouraging high standards in the
organization, administration and development of
Canadian map libraries. The Association acts as a
forum for the discussion and exchange of information
and ideas. Technical papers, panel discussions, work-shops
are parts of meetings, especially during the
annual conference which is interesting enough as
to attract a few noted cartographers regularly. The
Association publishes the Proceedings of the Annual
Conference and a Bulletin which keeps members
informed of activities in matters of cartographic
interest. It has also published a Directory of Canadian
Map Libraries.
The distribution of institutional memberships is
roughly as follows:
70% university map libraries
10% archival map collections
10% government agencies
10% others
Map librarians belong to the cartographic community
and they are living in symbiosis with it. They hope to
be involved more closely with map-making people in
whatever possible “political status”, be it federation,
confederation, souverainete-association, and what
else!
Speech delivered at the Fall meeting of the Cartography
Committee of the Canadian Institute of Surveying,
Foret Montmorency, Quebec, August 26-29, 1974.
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CARTO 2016
http://acmla-acacc.ca/carto2016/
50th Annual Conference of the Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives (ACMLA)
June 14-17, 2016
Fredericton, New brunswick
50 years: Mapping our past; Navigating our future
As the ACMLA celebrates its 50th anniversary, a ‘golden’ opportunity exists to reflect upon the
ways in which the Association and its members have supported changing needs across Canada,
and celebrate the contributions that have increased awareness, understanding, and value of
geospatial and cartographic materials. While embracing lessons learned from the past, we look
towards the future to anticipate changing needs, new opportunities, and new strategies for success.
The members of the program committee are:
•Jay Brodeur, McMaster University
•Joël Rivard, Carleton University
•Tracy Sallaway, Trent University
•Sarah Simpkin, University of Ottawa
The members of the local arrangements committee are:
•Mary-Ellen Badeau, Provincial Archives of New Brunswick
•Laura Corscandden, University of New Brunswick
•Siobhan Hanratty, University of New Brunswick
•Kaitlin Newson, Scholars Portal
•Tracy Sallaway, Trent University
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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June 14th - June 17th, 2016
Tuesday June 14th : Pre-Conference Workshops
GETTING STARTED WITH OPEN-SOURCE GIS SOFTWARE
Jay Brodeur
McMaster University
Summarized by Andrew Nicholson
This introductory workshop highlighted the functionality of Quantum GIS software (or QGIS) as an everyday
alternative tool to ArcGIS, and how it can be utilized and promoted by an academic library. Led by Jay
Brodeur, manager of the McMaster University Library’s Maps/Data/GIS Department, the workshop took
users through four tasks each of varying difficulty using City of Fredericton Geospatial data.
The workshop began with participants getting familiar with the QGIS interface and the Fredericton data
that was imported into the program. From the provided data, we then put together a map of Fredericton
recreational facilities, composed and annotated it, added a legend and scale bar, allowing participants to
get used to these essential components of QGIS. We then exported the map as a PDF.
The next task in QGIS allowed us to join tables, change projections, and get to grips with the various “plug-ins”
available. The end product was a map of Fredericton highlighting the spatial variability in the city,
which we also learned how to publish to the web direct from QGIS.
The final task of the QGIS workshop was perhaps the most illuminating: Georeferencing. Participants walked
through the easy steps of georeferencing in QGIS by taking a scanned 1:25,000 Fredericton NTS sheet and
georeferencing it with digital geographic coordinates taken from OpenStreetMap, available through the
OpenLayers plugin.
GETTING MORE OUT OF GEONB
Bernie Conners and Kristy Nicoll, GeoNB
Service New Brunswick
Summarized by Andrew Nicholson
The second pre-conference workshop of the day had participants exploring the open data provided
by the GeoNB web service. Presented by Bernie Conners and Kristy Nicoll from Service New
Brunswick, GeoNB serves a web based portal for almost all the geographic data including vector
files and orthophotos produced by the province, and is made available for free to users anywhere.
Beginning with a look at their ArcGIS servers which house the GeoNB data content, the workshop then
took participants thru accessing New Brunswick data through the GeoNB website, and through ArcGIS
Desktop, Google Earth, and ArcGIS Online. Perhaps the most interesting part of the workshop was being
able to access GONB data through a variety of mobile devices which had ArcGIS Explorer installed.
CARTO 2016 CONFERENCE SUMMARY
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Wednesday June 15th: Conference Presentations
KEYNOTE: THE IMPORTANCE OF THINKING SMALL
Dr. Paul Peters, University of New Brunswick
Dr. Peters shared several projects that analyzed population change in small areas, both urban and rural.
With his work being spatial in nature, there is a strong data visualization and mapping component present
in the projects.
VISUALIZING THE PAST: MAPPING, GIS AND TEACHING HISTORICAL CONSCIOUSNESS AT UNB
Sasha Mullally and Siobhan Hanratty, University of New Brunswick
This paper evaluated the prospects for team teaching in the digital humanities, and explored the
possibilities for historical instruction when digital maps and mapping are at the centre of the learning
process. Drawing from the experiences bringing forth a 2014 graduate course on Digital History (HIST
6388 Understanding the Virtual Past/Making Digital History), the authors reflected on their experiences
helping advanced students “spatialize” parts of their graduate work. It evaluateed the way that historical
consciousness (Seixas, 2006) evolves when students visualize the past through digital mapping. It
provided examples from several projects, for instance, the placement of Canadian communities’ World War
One memorials, the regional and global distribution of Heritage Minutes subject matter, or the creation
of US Naval bases in the Pacific during the Second World War. Incorporating feedback from students,
the authors discussed the logistical challenges involved in launching such a course at a small research
university, and put forth a template for collaboration between History professors and GIS/Data Librarians.
EXAMINING NEIGHBOURHOOD CHANGE IN THE MAP & DATA LIBRARY
Jordan Hale, University of Toronto
In this session, Jordon reviewed a workshop for youth that she designed with the dual purpose of developing
geographic research skills and familiarizing them with the special collections of the Map & Data Library. Using
Canadian census data, GIS, and University of Toronto’s collection of aerial photos, students used quantitative
and qualitative research methods to examine neighbourhood change over time in the city of Toronto.
CROWDSOURCING WITH ARCGIS ONLINE FOR DATA COLLECTION AND VISUALIZATION
Eva Dodsworth and Markus Wieland, University of Waterloo
The Geospatial Centre, University of Waterloo, has collaborated with the Faculty of Health Sciences to
employ ArcGIS Online to conduct public space research. Through the use of the GeoForm Graduates,
a configurable web mapping application template, members of the public are invited to geotag areas
of interest, upload photos and describe the public spaces that in some way improves their quality of
life. The result will be a public ArcGIS Online map of resources displaying the Region of Waterloo’s
community spaces that the public finds interesting, amusing, or pleasurable. This paper discussed
the technical aspects of building a crowdsourcing application that is straight forward and light on
resources, demonstrating the ease of use of ArcGIS Online for data collection and visualization.
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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INSIDE MAP WORLDS: THE PERSONAL AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES ABOUT WRITING
SOMETHING NEW
Dr. Will C. van den Hoonaard, University of New Brunswick
Most scholars comfortably stick to writing within their field. Writing Map Worlds: A History of Women in
Cartography represented surprisingly many personal and social challenges. Dr Will C van den Hoonaard’s
presentation offered his insights on these challenges.
GÉOINDEX+ : UNE PLATEFORME GÉOSPATIALE POUR LES DONNÉES DE RECHERCHE ET LES
DONNÉES HISTORIQUES SUR LE NORD
Stéfano Biondo, l’Université Laval
Cette conférence vise à démontrer le potentiel de Géoindex+ pour héberger et diffuser des données géospatiales
nordiques historiques et récentes. Ces données sont tirées de documents cartographiques des collections de la
Bibliothèque et de données de recherche produites par des chercheurs membres du réseau ArticNet. Géoindex+
est une plateforme de découverte, de visualisation et d’extraction de données géospatiales développée par le
Centre d’information géographique et statistique (Centre GéoStat) de la Bibliothèque de l’Université Laval.
Le conférencier présentera brièvement le fonctionnement de Géoindex+ ainsi que son potentiel pour la
valorisation des données de recherche et des données historiques nordiques à l’aide de trois exemples.
Le premier exemple démontrera la possibilité de donner une seconde vie aux documents cartographiques
historiques par la numérisation, le géoréférencement, la visualisation et la diffusion de certaines cartes de
l’expédition Coppermine, menée au cours des années 1819 à 1822 sous le commandement du Britannique
John Franklin.
Le deuxième exemple mettra en valeur l’expertise développée au Centre GéoStat par la création de nouvelles
données interactives provenant de la vectorisation du trajet de l’expédition Coppermine et donnant accès
à des contenus textuels et iconographiques du livre relatant cette aventure : Narrative of a journey to the
shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819, 20, 21, and 22.
Le troisième exemple cherche à démontrer que Géoindex+ peut également héberger et diffuser des données de
recherches polaires récentes, dont les données bathymétriques récoltées à partir du brise-glace scientifique
Amundsen. Les usagers de la Bibliothèque peuvent désormais repérer, visualiser et télécharger des données
bathymétriques généralisées des eaux nordiques du Canada.
EMERGING TOPICS FOR GIS AND GEOSPATIAL DATA IN LIBRARIES: A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
Facilitator: Julie Jones, Simon Fraser University
This session provided participants an opportunity to engage in a discussion around one of a number of
emerging issues related to GIS and geospatial data in libraries. Attendees collaborated in groups to discuss
challenges in these areas, with the purpose of improving understanding, developing potential solutions and
communicating outcomes to the larger audience.
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Thursday June 16th: Conference Presentations
MAPPING THE SECOND WORLD WAR: GIS AND ITS PRACTICALITY WITH MILITARY HISTORY
Eva Dodsworth, University of Waterloo; Trevor Ford, Wilfrid Laurier University
In recent years, online access to maps has reduced the need to acquire certain maps in print. With an
easy way to search for and download specific maps, many libraries have started examining their own map
collections in detail, exploring possibilities of either weeding, or digitizing historical maps for the same
easy online access. Particularly with large collections of donations that have been for years stored in boxes,
these maps may have been forgotten about, or not completely understood, now re-surface and are added
to the online pool of historical gems.
A recent mapping project aims to blow the dust off of some Defence Overprints, a collection originally
construed by the Canadian, American, and British Armies of the Second World War. The Overprints themselves
in most cases included weapon pits, artillery position, trenches and anti-tank defenses – in other cases,
especially with overprints on the Netherlands, flooding and canal closures are noted. The Laurier Centre
for Military Strategic and Disarmament Studies (LCMSDS) originally received these overprints in the early
1990s when the Directorate of History and Heritage (DHH) began downsizing their archival holdings from
the Second World War. At this same time LCMSDS also received approximately 30,000 Canadian aerial
reconnaissance photos of the same locations and time periods as the overprints. Both aerial photos and
overprints are extremely rare as most copies have either been destroyed or lost to history. Many of these maps
have been digitized and georereferenced and uploaded to mapping sites for public viewing and distribution.
This presentation showcased these Defence Overprints, demonstrating some of the various online mapping
tools that have been tried and tested to share the maps with the public.
TAKING THE HISTORICAL MAPS OF GRAND LAKE MEADOWS ONLINE
Heather McGrath, Emmanuel Stefanakis, University of New Brunswick
Grand Lake Meadows (GLM) is a historically and ecologically significant wetland in New Brunswick. This
area is known for its diverse ecology, abundant wildlife, system of freshwater rivers and lakes, rich soil
and moderated climate. These are some of the reasons which may explain why human settlers have been
attracted to GLM since the early 1600s. This research studied Grand Lake Meadows through the analysis
of historical maps held at the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick. The map analysis aimed to uncover
previously unknown societal and geomorphological information about the area. Maps from the study
area were identified in collections of microfilm and microfiche and were digitally scanned, analyzed,
and georeferenced. The digital versions have been posted on the internet and made accessible through
dynamic web-based map mashups using OpenLayers and Web Map Services. A series of supporting web
pages were created to encourage site visitors to explore the GLM historical maps through a series of
puzzles and quizzes created with Hypertext Preprocessor, JavaScript, and Scalable Vector Graphics. The
website aims to support existing initiatives of the Grand Lake Meadows Project Management Committee
which promote awareness and the significance of this area and blend historical maps with present day
mapping. Funding support for this research was provided by the Grand Lake Meadows Endowment Fund.
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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TRENT THROUGH TIME: STRATEGIES FOR EXHIBITING DIGITIZED INFORMATION TO SUPPORT
STUDY OF THE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT
Barbara Znamirowski, Trent University
This paper reviewed how Trent University Library’s Maps, Data & Government Information Centre is using
various mapping technologies to create products from digitized material that can assist with the study of the
Trent campus and endowment lands. We have created a variety of products that can be helpful in understanding
and appreciating the evolution of the campus environment in relation to a diverse array of local landscape
features – both natural (such as geological features, forests, and streams), and cultural (including farms,
waterways and other transportation routes). A variety of examples illustrate how diverse types of materials
and information have been integrated into our web site or other end products, as well as some of the processes
involved in making these resources available. One example is the presentation of historic aerial photography
through web indexes, web services, time-line visualizations and exhibits. A second example is the use of
story maps that integrate course-relevant materials involving the study of a campus nature reserve. Finally,
this paper situated these projects in relation to teaching, research and administrative activities on campus.
UPDATE AND DISCUSSION ON COPYRIGHT FOR CARTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS DOCUMENTS
Joël Rivard, ACMLA Copyright Task Force
This presentation introduced a document that has been prepared by the ACMLA Copyright for Cartographic
Material taskforce. Joël introduced the guide, which was followed by a group discussion. Joël hopes to
bring this document out of draft form and post it on the ACMLA website in the near future for all to consult.
MAKING LAC FIRE INSURANCE PLANS MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE
Rebecca Bartlett and Joël Rivard, Carleton University
Have you ever used the Fire Insurance Plans of your area and found the search interface at Library and
Archives Canada (LAC) difficult to use? Did you lament having to use the paper index? Are you tired of
only seeing 5 images at a time, especially when you need item 36 of 70? So were we! Using the 1902 fire
insurance plans of Ottawa, Joël and Rebecca demonstrated how they created an interactive online index
to allow users to more easily download the fire insurance plans from LAC.
THE FIGURES, MAPS & PHOTOS OF THE ACMLA / ACACC BULLETIN OVER THE YEARS: WHAT
DO THEY TELL US?
Daniel Brendle-Moczuk
The Bulletin of the ACMLA / ACACC (and its various previous names) has been published since 1968.
There are numerous figures, maps & photos throughout the many issues. Examining these throughout
the Bulletin reveals much about the authors, creators, photographers and the history and trends in the
organization, and in Canada generally, over the years. Daniel reviewed and summarized several figures,
maps and photos previously published in the Bulletin.
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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WHAT TO DO WITH OLD GIS FORMATS?: A CENSUS DATA MIGRATION PROJECT IN LIBRARIES
Amber Leahey, Scholars Portal
Digital data are just as susceptible to loss and degradation as print resources, such as paper maps. Data stored
in proprietary data formats are subject to format obsolescence, and often over time, users are required to
have working copies of old software on old hardware to read data. Sometimes, data conversion is required
to use data in modern software, and this can often be cumbersome, restrictive to researchers, and lead to
loss of data in some cases.
Older digital census boundary files made available to the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI) community come
in spatial data formats that are out-of-date and proprietary (e.g. ArcInfo Interchange E00 format). As time
goes on, there will most likely be less support for reading these older data formats, further decreasing the
accessibility of this data. To allow for improved access and preservation, together with the University of
Toronto Map and Data Library, we are conducting a project to convert older boundaries (1971 to 2001)
from original, into Shapefile format.
Digital census boundaries that are converted and digitized are being uploaded to Scholars GeoPortal as open
access content. From Scholars GeoPortal, users will be able to view the boundaries online and download
them as Shapefiles. Each dataset will have metadata describing the conversion / or digitization process,
and, users will be able to download the original data files and documentation.
Friday June 19th: Conference Presentations
ACMLA-ACACC BREAKOUT AND GROUP SESSIONS
Over the course of Thursday’s final afternoon session and Friday’s morning session, conference attendees
participated in breakout and group discussion activities intended to explore a number of key issues being
addressed by the organization. In the first half of the activity, participants were asked to join a facilitated
conversation around one of three discussion items, which were: a) increasing and engaging ACMLA
membership; b) the ACMLA Bulletin; and, c) the ACMLA conference. Through their discussion, the groups
identified current challenges facing the ACMLA in these areas, and offered ideas for potential solutions.
The outcomes of these discussions were captured in notes, which were presented and discussed on Friday
morning. In addition to a number of specific action items that transpired from discussion (e.g. hosting
institutions and partner organizations to pursue for 2017 and 2018 conferences; a review of online journal
platforms), an overarching theme emerged around the need for re-engaging with existing membership and
expanding the organization to new audiences. As a result of this successful activity, many outcomes have
been adopted by ACMLA Executive as action items for the upcoming year.
ACMLA / ACACC 50TH CONFERENCE CELEBRATION - CAKE AND SLIDESHOW
FIELD TRIP TO THE PROVINCIAL ARCHIVES OF NEW BRUNSWICK
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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CONFERENCE PHOTOS
All photos were taken by Stéfano Biondo, l’Université Laval
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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ACMLA Awards
The ACMLA Executive was honoured to recognize several individuals for their outstanding
contributions to the Association of Canadian Map Library and Archives. Winners were
announced and recognized during the Carto 2016 Banquet.
Cathy Moulder Paper Award
The Cathy Moulder Paper Award is awarded to an individual who has researched, written and
published a paper of significant value in the ACMLA Bulletin. The paper is considered for its solid
contribution to map librarianship, curatorship or archiveship
The recipients of the Cathy Moulder Paper for 2015 are Colleen Beard, Jay Brodeur, Sharon
Janzen, Amber Leahey, and Sarah Simpkin, for their article, “Ontario’s Historical Topographic Map
Digitization Project,” Bulletin no. 150.
ACMLA Student Paper Award
The Student Paper Award is awarded to a student from Canada or studying in Canada
currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution (college or university) who has written an
original paper related to the interests of the ACMLA. Primary consideration for the award is
given to the essay’s originality and its contribution to new knowledge and inight in GIS or
cartography. Other considerations include the author’s demonstration of the relevance of the
subject, the quality of the presentation and documentation, and the literary merits of the essay.
Award Recipient: Adrian Christ, University of Alberta
Student Paper Title: “Delineating East and West: Dutch Cartographers and Divided Hungary, ca
1570-1685.” Adrian’s paper can be found on page 46.
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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Association of Canadian Map Libraries and Archives /
Association des Cartothèques et Archives Cartographiques du Canada
MINUTES
of the
50th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Harriet Irving Library, University of New Brunswick
Fredericton, New Brunswick
Thursday, June 16, 2016
12:30 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Marilyn Andrews (University of Regina); Mary-Ellen Badeau (Provincial Archives of New
Brunswick); Rebecca Bartlett (Carleton University); Stéfano Biondo (Université Laval); d(D)aniel
Brendle- Moczuk (University of Victoria); Jay Brodeur (McMaster University); Eva Dodsworth (University
of Waterloo); Jordan Hale (University of Toronto); Siobhan Hanratty (University of New Brunswick);
Julie Jones (Simon Fraser University); Amber Leahey (Scholars Portal); Carina Xue Luo (University of
Windsor); Kim Maguire (Provincial Archives of New Brunswick); Gavin Moore (Provincial Archives of New
Brunswick); Andrew Nicholson (University of Toronto Mississauga); Rosa Orlandini (York University),
Joël Rivard (Carleton University); Tracy Sallaway (Trent University); Sylvie St-Pierre (Université du
Québec à Montréal); Deena Yanofsky (McGill University); Barbara Znamirowski (Trent University)
Distributed at the meeting by the treasurer:
ACMLA Budget 2016
ACMLA Financial Report – January 01, 2015 to December 31, 2015
ACMLA Financial Report – January 01, 2016 to May 31, 2016
1.0 Establishment of Quorum; Call to Order
Quorum was established (21 members); meeting called to order at 12:30 p.m. by President Hanratty
2.0 Opening Remarks from the President ACMLA-ACACC
After reviewing the agenda, Siobhan Hanratty introduced the 2015/2016 ACMLA executive board: Deena
Yanofsky (vice-president and president-elect), Jay Brodeur (vice-president, professional development),
Tracy Sallaway (vice-president, communications & outreach), Rebecca Bartlett (treasurer), Rosa Orlandini
(past president) and Marilyn Andrews (secretary).
3.0 Approval of Agenda
Moved: Barbara Znamirowski - - -Carried.
4.0 Approval of the Minutes from the 2015 Annual General Meeting
Motion to approve the minutes, as amended.
Moved: Eva Dodsworth - - -Carried.
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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5.0 Business Arising from the 2015 Annual General Meeting
5.1 Copyright task force
Siobhan Hanratty led a discussion of the work done by the task force: Joël River (Carleton University),
Susan McKee (University of Calgary) and Virginia Pow (University of Alberta). Appreciation was expressed
to the members for their work (ongoing) on the copyright document which is soon to be published on the
ACMLA-ACACC website.
5.2 Revenue generation in the future Deferred to item 12.
5.3 Conference Deferred to item 9.
5.4 Bulletin
A proposal regarding format of the Bulletin will be forthcoming and it is one of the topics to be discussed
during the conference breakout session.
5.5 Travel/Conference Funding
Rosa Orlandini reported that information and instructions on how to apply for a travel subsidy were sent to
the list. Subsequently, Rosa reviewed the applications and approved the allocations for the 2016 conference.
Effective this year, the grant is no longer restricted to actual travel costs; other related expenses may be
considered.
6.0 President’s Report
Siobhan Hanratty reported that as per item 5.1, the copyright task force guidelines document will move to the
ACMLA webpages after allowing one month from the date of the AGM for feedback followed by translation
into French.
Siobhan participated in discussions with GeoAlliance via conference calls in January. In March, Deena attended
a GeoAlliance meeting along with other interested parties, in Calgary. See item 8 for more information.
Siobhan reported that a member asked whether she may self-archive (in her institution’s repository) an
article that was published in the Bulletin. The answer was yes.
It was noted that the Canadian Library Association (CLA) disbanded in January and has been superseded
by the newly organized Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA). Noteworthy is that CFLA is
based on institutional memberships while CLA was based on individual memberships. It is very early in the
transition period; CFLA will be reaching out to potential members, including ACMLA.
The president’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
7.0 Past President’s Report
Rosa Orlandini reported that as a result of the 2015 changes to the ACMLA Rules of Procedure and the
ACMLA bylaw, the past president became the chair of the awards committee and was given responsibility
for dispersing the association’s travel funds. (Refer to item 5.5).
Rosa thanked Eva Dodsworth for her dedication and service to the awards committee for the period 2011
to 2015. Another long serving member of the committee, Cheryl Woods, stepped down earlier in the year
and appreciation was expressed for her dedication and service.
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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The current members of the awards committee are Rosa Orlandini, Francine Berish (Queen’s University) and
Rhys Stevens (University of Lethbridge). Rosa thanked Francine and Rhys for their work on the committee.
ACMLA awards three prizes: the ACMLA Honours Award, the Cathy Moulder Paper Award and the Student
Paper Award.
Paper Award for his paper Delineating East and West: Dutch Cartographers and Divided Hungary, ca 1570-1685.
Adrian will receive the $250 prize, a one year membership in ACMLA, as well, his paper will be published
in the Bulletin.
The winner(s) of the Cathy Moulder Paper Award was not announced at the meeting because there will be
a presentation at the conference banquet.
The ACMLA Honours Award was not awarded in 2016.
The past president’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
8.0 Vice President/President-Elect’s Report
Deena Yanofsky oversaw the membership committee. Leanne Trimble was thanked for her work as chair
of the committee. Unfortunately, membership in the ACMLA has continued to decline.
Deena also oversaw the mentoring program. Colleen Beard headed the program until earlier this year and
Rosa Orlandini stepped in to replace her. Rosa will continue in this role while the program is re-evaluated.
Both Colleen and Rosa were thanked for their contributions.
Deena represented ACMLA at GeoAlliance Canada (previously Canadian Geomatics Community Round
Table). In 2015, both Rosa and attended the launch. GeoAlliance is looking for partners. Potentially, ACMLA
could be a “good fit” given the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience within our organization. The
$1,500 membership fee is a barrier to joining, but nevertheless, it is worth considering given everything
that ACMLA knows about preservation, standards and the value of accessing the data. As GeoAlliance has
not yet got off the ground, holding off on the decision about membership is reasonable. Deena discussed
membership with Brad Ashley, Executive Director (West) who has indicated that ACMLA is welcome to
participate regardless of membership status. Deena will report back periodically as things unfold.
Deena thanked Eva Dodsworth for her ongoing commitment to publishing the Bulletin. During the year, for
the first time, peer reviewed articles (2) were published. Feedback is requested about whether this should
continue and/or is sustainable.
The vice-president/president-elect’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
9. Vice President Professional Development’s Report
Jay Brodeur commented that the 2016 conference registration was small, mostly due to the location, as is
typical when it is hosted on either the east or west coasts. It was recognized that the venue enabled some
people, who might not have otherwise been able to attend the conference, to do so. It is hoped that by a
combination of location, and better advertisement and recruitment (perhaps including joint conferences),
future registration numbers will be increased. Part of this work has been initiated by a call to host the 2017
and 2018 conferences. This call was sent out in May and although venues for these years have not yet been
identified, work is ongoing to confirm hosts for both upcoming conferences.
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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Questions about holding conferences persist. Discussion ensued as to whether there is the possibility for
joint sessions or conferences with other groups. Andrew Nicholson surmised that joint conferences could
perhaps be held in the future and/or conferences could be held biennially. The conference planning manual
needs to be revised to aid with easy transitions. A more detailed discussion of these points is included in
the vice-president’s report.
The vice-president, professional development’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
10. Vice President Communications and Outreach’s Report
Tracy Sallaway commented that the work of the newly formed communications committee was minimal in
the first year of the association’s new reporting structure. The committee will be working on developing
and implementing a communications strategy for the association in the coming months.
Tracy is also working on establishing and implementing records management procedures for the association.
She is seeking information on the whereabouts of records pertaining to the ACMLA’s functions over the
years and asked that anyone who may have knowledge of such records to contact her.
The vice-president, communications and outreach’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
11. Treasurer’s Report
Rebecca Bartlett reported that the profit made from the 2015 conference in Ottawa was approximately
$1,000. She summarized the 2015 (calendar year) budget before reviewing the 2016 expenses for the
period January-May.
Rebecca explained that we hold a GIC (guaranteed investment certificate) because it is a requirement for
having the credit card we use; it is similar to having a line of credit.
For clarification, it was noted that subscribers were formally referred to as institutional members. The
projected deficit for 2016 is $7,000.
Motion to accept the report:
Moved: Mary-Ellen Badeau - - - Carried.
12. Future of ACMLA
Rebecca Bartlett and Deena Yanofsky led a discussion about the association’s future. A variety of factors
have contributed to the current precarious financial situation. Although the Social Sciences and Humanities
Research Council (SSHRC) travel grant ceased in 2012, the association has continued to help fund members
with travel expenses. Membership has declined. This important topic will be addressed during a breakout
session and will then spill over to the ACMLA listserv.
A survey of members who did not attend the conference will be carried out over the ACMLA listserv to
determine if there are ways to encourage attendance in future.
13. New Business
Julie Jones suggested that it may be wise to update the ACMLA Recommended Best Practices in Citation of
Cartographic Materials document. This would be in line with creating standards for citing research data.
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Deena thought this might warrant the creation of a task force to study the matter and further suggested that
this might also be a good time to consider changing the document from PDF format to a living document
which could be made available on the ACMLA website. The executive will consider the matter and, perhaps,
put out a call for volunteers to work on a project.
Stéfano Biondo suggested that it would be useful and interesting to create a map showing ACMLA membership.
The executive will follow up with this idea.
14. Nominations Committee Report on Election
The nominations committee, chaired by the president had three members: Siobhan Hanratty, Wenonah
(Fraser) van Heyst (Brandon University) and d(D)aniel Brendle-Moczuk.
There were no nominations received for the vice president/president-elect position, therefore, the search
failed. In keeping with the bylaws, the position will remain vacant for 2016/17. Deena has agreed to assume
the president’s position for two years and it, therefore, follows that Siobhan will hold the position of past
president for two years.
The nominating committee’s report will be posted to the ACMLA-ACACC website.
15. Adjournment
Moved: Barbara Znamirowski
The meeting adjourned at 2:20 p.m.
Minutes recorded by Marilyn Andrews, Secretary.
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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Comme vous vous en souvenez peut-être, l’Association avait cette année un poste à combler pour le conseil
d’administration : vice-président/président élu. Pour ceux qui n’ont pu assister au congrès, je tenais à vous
informer que cette année, le comité des candidatures n’a trouvé personne pour pourvoir le poste. Malgré
l’appel aux membres et des demandes ciblées faites auprès de certaines personnes, l’Association n’a reçu
aucune nomination pour le poste. Le comité des candidatures a donc informé le conseil d’administration
de la situation et a sollicité son aide pour la marche à suivre.
Après avoir consulté le règlement administratif ainsi que les règles de procédures, le conseil a conclu
que l’Association ne dispose pas d’un mécanisme pour gérer les postes non comblés. Ainsi, après maintes
discussions, le conseil a décidé que le poste de vice-président/président élu demeurera vacant pour l’année
2016-2017.
L’article 8 « Comités » du règlement administratif détermine la forme et la composition du comité des
candidatures et en définit le rôle et l’article 7 des règles de procédures, « Comités spéciaux » définit le mandat
et la structure hiérarchique du comité des candidatures; cependant, aucun des deux articles ne précise
quoi faire si le comité des candidatures n’arrive pas à pourvoir un poste. Seul l’article 8.03 du règlement
administratif donne une indication de la procédure à suivre. La dernière phrase de l’article stipule que « Le
comité des candidatures peut se réunir aussi souvent que nécessaire pour élaborer la liste des candidats
à condition que la liste des candidats soit prête avant l’heure à laquelle la liste doit être incluse dans l’avis
annonçant l’assemblée annuelle. » Essentiellement, le comité a été incapable de pourvoir le poste dans les
délais prescrits.
Lors de l’AGM, une personne s’est manifestée pour le poste dans la mesure où nous pouvions organiser une
élection; toutefois, à la section « Obligations et responsabilités » du règlement administratif, on indique
que le comité des candidatures est responsable de « Conduire les élections conformément au règlement
administratif et les conclure avant l’Assemblée annuelle des membres. L’élection sera organisée de telle
façon que tous les membres habiles à voter auront la possibilité de participer à l’élection. » Cette condition
nous empêche donc d’accepter les candidatures lors de l’AGM.
Puisque l’Association ne dispose pas d’un mécanisme pour gérer les postes non comblés, plutôt que de
modifier les règles procédurales, le conseil d’administration a décidé de laisser le poste vacant jusqu’à
l’année prochaine. Au besoin, Deena a accepté de demeurer en poste comme présidente une deuxième
année. Il pourrait cependant être possible de tenir une élection pour deux postes l’an prochain : président
et vice-président/président élu. Le conseil d’administration examinera cette possibilité et informera les
membres le cas échéant.
Ainsi, en raison d’un échéancier serré et du manque de bénévoles, le comité des candidatures déclare
officiellement que le processus a échoué. Bien que le conseil d’administration apprécie que quelqu’un se
soit porté volontaire quand le processus habituel n’a pas donné fruit, nous préférons ne pas nous engager
dans cette voie pour les années à venir. Cette année, nous examinerons comment modifier les règles de
procédures pour régir les processus à suivre lorsqu’il n’y a aucune candidature et pour l’élection de 2017,
nous nous assurerons que le conseil soit constitué en temps opportun.
Je vous remercie de votre compréhension.
Siobhan Hanratty
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
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As you may recall, we had one position to fill on the Executive Board this year: Vice President/President-
Elect. For those of you who were unable to attend the conference, I wanted to inform you that this year the
work of the Nominating Committee resulted in a failed search. Despite the general call and a number of
personal solicitations, there were no nominations forthcoming for this position. The Nominating Committee
reported the results of the search to the Executive Board and asked for advice as to how to proceed.
After going through the Association’s By-laws and Rules of Procedure, it became clear that the Association
does not currently have a mechanism in place for a failed nomination process. Thus, after considerable
discussion, the Board was in agreement that the position of VP/President Elect should remain vacant for
the 2016/17 term.
Section 8, “Committees,” of the By-laws, established the existence and general duty of the Nominating
Committee and Section 7 of the Rules of Procedure, "Special Committees," established the terms of reference
and reporting structure of the Nominating Committee; however, neither specifies options for those instances
when the Nominating Committee fails to produce a slate of candidates. The most direction we have appears
in the By-laws, article 8.03. The last line of that section states "The nominating committee may meet as
many times in the year as is necessary to formulate the slate provided that the slate is completed prior to
the time when the slate must be included in the notice announcing the annual meeting." So, we were unable
to fill the slate in that time-frame, basically.
We did have someone offer to stand for the position if we could have an election at the AGM; however, under
“Duties and Responsibilities” in the Rules of Procedure, the Nominating Committee is charged to “Conduct
an election in accordance with these Rules of Procedure, to be concluded before the Annual Membership
Meeting. The election should be conducted in such a way that all voting members have the opportunity to
participate in the election.” It is this condition that essentially prevents us from taking nominations from
the floor during the AGM.
Since we don't have a process in place for a failed search, rather than play fast and loose with the process,
the Executive thought that it would be fitting to let the position remain unfilled until next year. If need be,
Deena will consider staying on as president a second year, but it may also be possible to hold an election
for two positions next year: President and VP/President Elect. The Executive will investigate the feasibility
of this approach and will notify the membership accordingly should this prove to be an option.
Thus, due to a restricted timeline and a lack of volunteers, the Nominating Committee has officially declared
a failed search. Although the Executive Board does appreciate that a volunteer came forward when the
traditional process produced no nominations, we would prefer that this not be the way we continually fill
the slate. This year, then, we shall consider how we might amend the Rules of Procedure to allow for the
possibility of a failed search, and for the 2017 election we shall ensure that the committee is struck in a
more timely fashion.
Thanks for your time.
Siobhan Hanratty
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
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MAKING LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES CANADA (LAC) FIRE
INSURANCE PLANS (FIPS) MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE
Joël Rivard and Rebecca Bartlett
Carleton University
Introduction
Fire Insurance Plans (FIPs) are large-scale building
atlases available for multiple Canadian cities at
various time periods from the late 1800s to the
mid-1900s, and which are of value to researchers in
a wide variety of fields. At Carleton, these plans are
primarily used by our students to determine historical
context of the evolution of core municipalities.
Originally in print, FIPs were comprised of multiple
sheets that, together, made up large-scale atlases
for major municipalities. Each sheet is a large-scale
plan which illustrates in great detail the construction
materials of buildings, building size and layout, street
widths, and the location of fire protection facilities,
and each sheet has a coverage of a few blocks at most.
As FIPs are available only for larger municipalities
which generally cover a significant geographic
area, a key plan is provided: the key plan shows
the entire municipality divided into sections, with
each section having a sheet number superimposed
upon it for ease of finding one’s area of interest.
Many of the older FIP collections have been digitized
and made available online. Library and Archives
Canada (LAC) has made available a large collection
of fire insurance plans that are available to the
general public. These FIPs are out of copyright as
LAC has researched them and obtained the copyright
certificates of the plans that they’ve put online.
Finding the FIP on LAC’s website
To find the FIPs through LAC’s website can be
somewhat challenging and time-consuming for
users. Users must use either LAC’s advanced
library search or by searching through AMICUS.
LAC has some excellent guides that will allow
users to better find cartographic products - http://
www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/maps-charts-plans/
pages/maps-charts-architectural-plans.aspx
A tip for when using the advanced library search is
to type the following for a search for FIPs of Ottawa
– “fire insurance plans” Ottawa. This should give
you the results for the various collections of FIPs that
LAC has made available online.
Once a user has found the collection, viewing and
downloading these can be similarly time-consuming.
After viewing the key plan and identifying their area,
users then have to navigate in the browser 5 plans at
a time to reach the desired plan in the browser, which
is particularly inconvenient if the user wants to view
sheet 67 of 130 sheets. Once the user views the target
sheet, they can either view the image file or download
it for use in their research or assignment. This must
be repeated for each plan from that particular
collection. The key plan is also inaccurate at times,
which can make it difficult to find and use the maps.
Solution
Our solution to this problem was to create an
interactive geographic index based on the locations
of the fire insurance plans, so that users could click
on their area of interest and be linked to the FIP
sheet covering that location. The FIP collection
that we chose was Insurance plan of the city of
Ottawa, Canada, and adjoining suburbs and
lumber districts, January 1888, revised January
1901. In this collection there were 113 sheets,
which we downloaded from the Library and
Archives Canada website. Of the 113 sheets, 80 were
single areas, 22 sheets had multiple areas shown,
and 11 sheets were key plans or street indexes.
This solution was designed to solve not only the
time consuming nature of accessing the FIPs via
LAC’s website and key plan inaccuracies, but to
accommodate for the fact that street names have
changed over the decades which can make it
difficult for students to find their area of interest.
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
35
Methodology
Before our GIS student assistant georeferenced the
FIP sheets, he clipped the sheets that had multiple
areas and saved the clipped areas as PNG files.
PowerPoint was used for this process as it was
not possible to freehand clip while maintaining a
transparent background using the graphics software
on the student’s workstation. The student then
used ArcMap 10.3 to georeference all the sheets in
MTM Zone 9, adding 8-12 ground control points per
sheet. He used multiple referencing layers: 1928 air
photos from the City of Ottawa and current Ottawa-
Gatineau open data street files. A potential issue
arising from this is that the referencing layers are
at least 30 years more recent than the FIPs, so there
could be some minor inconsistencies. Furthermore,
no data frame or coordinate system was used
in the FIPs so some distortion is to be expected.
Once the FIP sheets were georeferenced, the index
was extracted in ArcMap by creating a personal
geodatabase and adding an empty mosaic dataset.
The FIP rasters were added to the mosaic dataset
and the Build Footprints tool in the Mosaic Dataset
toolset was used to make index polygons fit
perfectly around each of the sheets. The footprints
layer was exported to a shapefile, and the unique
URL link for each FIP sheet on LAC’s website
was added to the attribute table. The index was
then uploaded to ArcGIS Online for hosting.
Next Steps
Following discussion at Carto 2016 and a
serendipitous encounter with a LAC employee at the
airport on the way back to Ottawa, we will be adding
the georeferenced FIP sheets as a download option
from the index. Our initial concern was for copyright
claims by private companies, but we were assured
by LAC that they have copyright certificates for the
FIPs they make available online. We would also like
to tackle another year of FIPs for the Ottawa region.
Link to index: http://arcg.is/2a6EJnn
Link to methodology Google document: http://bit.
ly/29J66Bo
Fire Insurance Plan Index
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
36
IMPROVING ACCESS TO DIGITAL HISTORICAL CENSUS
BOUNDARIES IN CANADA
Jeff Allen & Amber Leahey
University of Toronto
Introduction
Historical census boundary datasets are invaluable
resources for mapping and analyzing demographics
over space and time. In Canada, finding and using
historical census boundary data can be a little
difficult. Statistics Canada makes tabular census
data available online for the 2011, 2006, 2001,
and 1996 Censuses, with some summary profile
tables available back to 1991. For boundary files
however, fewer censuses are accessible, with only
2011, 2006, and 2001 available online. Today, access
to the older collections is typically mediated by
Statistics Canada, or academic libraries who have
access through the Data Liberation Initiative (DLI)
program. Given that the data from these earlier
years are not readily available online publically,
it prevents researchers from easily accessing and
using them. In addition, for some of the older
censuses, the digital spatial data are stored in archaic
data formats which present challenges for use in
modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
In the fall of 2015, Scholars Portal and the University
of Toronto Map and Data Library embarked on a
project to bring together the dispersed collection
of digital census geography datasets and make
them available online so they can be easily accessed
by researchers, students, and the general public.
This project makes data and documentation
available openly through the Ontario Council of
University Libraries (OCUL) Scholars GeoPortal
platform (http://geo.scholarsportal.info). In
making the collection available online openly and
all in one place, these datasets will be shared and
reused more effectively, thus reducing barriers
and duplication for researchers everywhere.
This paper outlines the current status of census
boundary datasets in Canada and then details our
work which includes collecting known datasets from
a variety of sources, data conversion, composing
a comprehensive set of metadata, and providing
online access to the collection. We also compiled
an extensive inventory of all known boundaries
produced in order to keep track of the collection
as well as assess any gaps to help plan future
digitization projects. We hope that this work is
utilized and shared with others so that more attention
is given to this important historical GIS collection.
Overview of Census Geography in Canada
The Census of Canada program provides a statistical
portrait of the country. It is administered by
Statistics Canada who are mandated “to collect,
compile, analyse, abstract and publish statistical
information relating to the commercial, industrial,
financial, social, economic and general activities and
condition of the people” (Statistics Act, 1971). The
Canadian Census dates back to 1666, when French
colonial administrators collected information on
the new settler populations of New France. There
were a number of colonial and regional census
projects that occurred during the 18th century and
first half of the 19th century, which depending on
historical circumstance, focused on collecting data
on armaments and agricultural resources. The first
post-confederation census was conducted in 1871
and the census was administered by the Ministry
of Agriculture until 1912. The Statistics Act was
passed in 1918 shifting the responsibility of the
census to the new Dominion Bureau of Statistics
who administered the census decennially up until
1951 (Statistics Act, 1918). The first mid-decade
census was conducted in 1956 and censuses
have been conducted quinquennially ever since.
In 1971, the Statistics Act was amended, which
resulted in the Dominion Bureau of Statistics
being replaced by Statistics Canada, a full-fledged
federal department (Statistics Act, 1971). This
change also introduced new methodologies like
self-enumeration instead of in-person interviews,
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
37
splitting the census into long-form and short-form
questionnaires, and storing collected data in
machine readable formats. The most recent census
was distributed in May 2016 by Statistics Canada
and the data for this census is being planned for
staggered release in late 2016 and early 2017.
Census data is inherently linked to both when
and where it was collected. Data is collected at
the household level at specific addresses on
specific dates. Census boundaries are delineated
by Statistics Canada to enable the enumeration
and aggregation of census data to designated areal
units. Census boundaries range in area from those
representing entire provinces and territories down
to individual urban blocks. This allows for mapping
and analyzing census data at different scales. Some
census boundaries are designed for the enumeration
of certain census variables. For example, crop
reporting districts are delineated for the analysis
of the Census of Agriculture. Larger census regions
are typically composed of smaller regions to allow
for the upward aggregation of census data (e.g.
dissemination areas are composed of blocks, census
tracts composed of dissemination areas, and so on).
Figure 1 shows the census boundaries and their
hierarchical relationships for 2011 Census. Every
census year has uniquely defined boundaries. They
are redrawn because of changes in population
distributions or enumeration methodologies. In
some cases, the naming conventions of boundaries
have changed as well. For example, enumeration
areas were renamed dissemination areas in 2001.
Beyond areal boundaries for disseminating data,
Statistics Canada also produces other types of spatial
datasets for analyzing and visualizing census data.
Road network files and block-faces are produced to
connect census data to streets and address ranges;
ecumenes are delineated for thematic cartography
purposes; and geographic attribute files are
generated for linking between boundary levels,
coordinate data, and population and dwelling counts.
Aggregated tabular census data can be linked to
boundary files in a geographic information system
(GIS) for mapping and spatial analysis using unique
geographic identifier codes. Common applications
of mapping census data include choropleth and dot
density maps for visualizing spatial patterns of social,
Figure 1 - Diagram of Hierarchical Relationships of Census Boundaries for the 2011 Census (adapted from Statistics
Canada documentation)
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
38
economic, and demographic characteristics. Analysis
of census data linked to boundaries are used to aid
wide range of public planning and policy decisions
(e.g. healthcare, education, transportation, etc.), for
delineating electoral districts, and have countless
research applications, particularly in the social
sciences. Boundaries from older censuses can be
used for mapping demographics at certain points in
time and spatial comparison with other historical
datasets. This is part of a larger increasing trend in
using GIS to aid historical research (see, for example,
Gregory & Ell, 2007 or Knowles & Hillier, 2008).
Moreover, combining census data and boundaries
from different census years can lead to insights on
how places change over time. Canadian research in
this area include analyzing spatio-temporal patterns
of population density (e.g. Millward & Bunting 2008),
urban growth (e.g. Burchfield & Kramer, 2015), and
gentrification (e.g. Meligrana & Skaburskis, 2005).
Status of Census Spatial Datasets & Project
Motivation
Today, Canadian census boundaries are typically
produced and stored digitally, as vector datasets in a
spatial data warehouse (e.g. representing boundaries
using points, lines, and polygons). Together these
form the national spatial data warehouse and provide
mechanism for the enumeration, collection, and
production of a variety of census data products.
Boundaries are represented as features, and each
feature (e.g. polygon) has associated attribute
data including a unique identifier to link with
aggregated census data for mapping and analysis.
Digital boundary files for the Canadian Census
have been produced by Statistics Canada since
1971. Boundaries are available back to earlier pre-confederation
censuses, thanks to the research and
data creation of the Historical Atlas of Canada. Up
until recently, most early digital spatial datasets were
only available for purchase from Statistics Canada, or
through the department’s Data Liberation Initiative
(DLI) program, a national consortium made up of
universities that formed together in 1996 to pay for
and access Statistics Canada data, namely Public-Use
Microdata Files (PUMFs). Part of the DLI includes
census data, and boundary files, including census
tracts and dissemination/enumeration areas, with
some boundary coverages back to 1971. Without the
DLI, individual datasets would typically cost several
hundreds of dollars, and these high costs severely
limited who was able to acquire and use these datasets
for research and analysis (Klinkenberg, 2003).
Access to the DLI collection, including boundary files,
was typically mediated by the library at subscribing
DLI institutions, some providing links to the data
files online, and most only have access via a local
connection FTP server. Given that the data for
1971 to 1996 are not available online publically,
this prevents people from finding and using these
census boundary files. The collection also has little
metadata for the data files, which is required for
description and indexing in repositories, such as
in Scholars GeoPortal. The accompanying data
documentation provide details about the data and
source information, however, machine-actionable
metadata is required for description and discovery on
the web, and greatly enables data reuse by capturing
important information about the original data,
including coordinate systems, projections, collection
period, purpose statements, feature counts, etc.
At the time of writing, Statistics Canada has made
their spatial datasets for the 2001, 2006, and 2011
censuses freely available online. These will be joined
in November 2016 by the boundary datasets that
delineate the 2016 census. For the 2006 and 2011
censuses, Statistics Canada provides spatial data
as Shapefiles, MapInfo TAB format, and Geography
Markup Language (GML). Shapefiles are widely
used across GIS applications today, and are largely
considered the standard for sharing spatial vector
datasets. GML in an open format that uses XML
grammar to define geographical features, it is
less frequently used by researchers, but it is an
open standard supported by the Open Geospatial
Consortium (OGC). MapInfo TAB is a lesser used today,
and like ESRI’s Shapefile format, is a proprietary vector
data format designed for use in it’s own software.
For digital data produced prior to 2006, boundaries
were published and remain stored in spatial data
formats that are currently out-of-date and can
only be opened by specific, often proprietary, GIS
software. For example, the ArcInfo Interchange
format (E00) and the MapInfo TAB format, were
widely used to store Statistics Canada digital spatial
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
39
boundaries. There are also older datasets that are
only available as flat files containing ASCII text. They
require a codebook to parse the data to provide any
use. Some of these datasets come with SPSS syntax
files, generated by the University of Toronto Map
and Data Library, but again, these require SPSS
or other statistical software packages. SPSS is an
expensive, proprietary software that not everyone
has access too. At the very least, some knowledge
of programming is required to read the data,
and this isn’t considered accessible to the public.
National Infrastructure Projects and Other
Digitization Initiatives
Prior to 1971, census boundaries were not produced
digitally, only on paper. There have been several
separate projects conducted by different academics,
librarians, and cartographers, which have digitized
historical census boundaries into vector datasets
for use in GIS. Part of our project was to acquire
these digitized historical boundaries and make them
easily available in Scholars GeoPortal alongside
digital boundaries from more recent censuses.
Probably the most substantial digitization project
was conducted by the Canadian Century Research
Infrastructure (CCRI). The CCRI created a harmonized
database of census subdivisions boundaries from
1911 to 1951. This database also allowed for
dissolving boundaries and associated data up to
census divisions and the constructed framework
enabled the location, selection, aggregation, and
analysis of data for any census year from 1911 and
1951. Working from modern census boundaries as a
reference, the CCRI generated a harmonized spatial
database for this recreation of historical boundaries.
The CCRI has been instrumental in providing a basis
for historical census data mapping and analysis
and it is well documented and often referenced
by historians and GIS researchers (for more
information on this project, see St. Hilaire et al., 2007).
There have been several other digitization initiatives
conducted by cartographers and librarians across
Canada as well. On such initiative was the Historical
Atlas of Canada Online Learning Project (HACOLP),
which included digitizing census divisions from
1851 to 1961. These boundaries are part of an
online interactive cartographic application and
are available for download as Shapefiles. Another
project was conducted by librarians from the
University of British Columbia who digitized urban
Census Tracts and Census Metropolitan Areas
for the 1951 Census across Canada (Brittnacher
& Lesack, 2013). The University of Toronto Map
and Data Library have also undertaken digitizing
projects. They digitized 1981 census tracts to vastly
improve accuracy over imprecise original data
files and they have digitized 1961 census tracts for
Toronto from paper maps, which were previously
unavailable in any digital format. These projects
typically used a technique in GIS of editing modern
boundaries to align with the historical boundaries
displayed on a georeferenced paper map. This
technique allows for maintaining the precision of
newer boundaries and saves time by not needing
to digitize boundaries that have remained stable.
Data Migration Project (1971 to 2001)
We have been conducting a data migration project
to convert census boundaries from 1971 to 2001
from their original, out-of-date, digital formats into
Shapefiles to allow for easier usability and long term
preservation. Mapping and geographic analysis of
census data requires accurate and accessible census
spatial datasets. Also, digital data is often more
susceptible to obsolescence compared to material
sources like paper maps. Over time, data becomes
less accessible as file formats change and newer
software offers less support for older formats.
Data migration is the process of transferring data
between storage types and is used as a form of digital
preservation to make sure historical datasets, like
census boundaries, can be used for people now and
in the future. Moreover, since these datasets have
become open as part of the Data Liberation Initiative,
they should be freely and easily accessible across GIS
applications. The Shapefile format was chosen as the
output since it is widely used both in proprietary (e.g.
ArcGIS, Global Mapper, FME, etc.) and open source
GIS (e.g. QGIS, GRASS, PostGIS, etc.). Also, there are
plenty of tools available to convert Shapefiles into
other geospatial formats if needed (e.g. GDAL/OGR).
Beyond data format conversion, census boundary
datasets are also being enhanced as part of the
data migration process to further their spatial
analysis capabilities in modern GIS applications. All
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
40
census boundary datasets are being transformed
into North American Datum 1983 (NAD83), which is
the datum that Statistics Canada currently uses for
their datasets. Over the years, the projections and
coordinate systems of census geography datasets
varied from Lambert conformal conic, Universal
Transverse Mercator, or unprojected NAD27.
Conforming datasets data to a single geographic
coordinate system allows for consistency when
comparing between census years and boundary
types. Moreover, features in census boundary datasets
are then dissolved to their unique identifiers (e.g.
CTUID for Census Tracts). Older datasets typically
did not include multi-part features. For example,
each island in a group of islands that were part of the
same census area would have separate records in the
dataset. Dissolving to unique identifiers combines all
features with the same identifier into one multi-part
feature. This allows for for one-to-one joins with
associated tabular data. For some census boundary
datasets, additional fields were generated to allow
for easier relationships with associated tabular data
and other census geography files. For example, in
one dataset, existing identifier fields were converted
from integers into strings with leading 0s (e.g. from
‘1’ to ‘001’) to allow for joins with tabular data
that have the same structure. Also, the original
datasets for some census boundaries, primarily
prior to 1991, were divided by metropolitan area
(e.g. there were separate datasets for Montreal,
Vancouver, etc.). These have been appended into
one Shapefile to provide a Canada wide coverage.
Much of the data migration process was automated
through custom Python scripts with help from
geospatial libraries like ArcPy and GDAL. ArcPy
is the Python library for scripting geoprocessing
tasks in ArcGIS while GDAL is an open source
translation library for geospatial data formats.
For this project, automated tasks include batch
converting between file formats (e.g. from .e00 to
.shp), dissolving and appending features, joining
and updating attribute fields, defining coordinate
systems, and parsing ASCII text files. Converted
datasets are checked using Statistics Canada
documentation to confirm their coverage and
feature counts, and where possible, are compared
to any datasets that were previously converted from
different Canadian University libraries (University
of Toronto, Waterloo, Western, and Queens).
Organization in Scholars GeoPortal
All acquired and converted datasets are being
made available through Scholars GeoPortal as open
content meaning that the datasets are available
for anyone to access, regardless of affiliation.
In Scholars GeoPortal, each census geography
dataset can be viewed with reference to a base
map, and if the user wants, in conjunction with
other datasets. Datasets can be queried either by
attribute or on map selection. Each dataset layer
has unique symbology and labels identifying the
names or unique identifier codes of individual
boundaries. Data are available for downloaded
as a zip package which includes the converted
datasets, documentation, the original data, and any
associated attribute tables (e.g. concordance tables).
Each individual dataset has detailed metadata
describing its coverage, source, and notes on the data
migration or digitization process. Metadata records
have unique URIs, meaning datasets can be easily
linked to, shared, and found in external search engines.
For organization, individual metadata records are
aggregated into series records by year, language,
data collection category. For 1991 and onward,
census boundaries are divided into two categories
Digital Boundary Files (DBF) and Cartographic
Boundary Files (CBF). DBFs depict the full extent of
the geographical areas, including the coastal water
area while CBFs depict the geographical areas by
clipping to the shorelines of Canada and its coastal
islands. CBFs are typically used for general map
making as well as calculating population densities
and other areal functions. There are also series
records for special collections like road network files
or health regions. French datasets and associated
series records are also available for the 1996, 2001,
2006, and 2011 censuses. These have the same
geographic data as their English counterparts, but
include French fields in associated attribute tables.
Metadata is generated as part of the loading
process into the Scholars GeoPortal. The metadata
standard used for the portal is based on the
ISO 19115 - North American Profile. A custom
Bulletin de l’ACACC Numéro 153, Printemps/Été 2016
41
metadata editor provides the form for the descriptive
fields, and information and values are entered
online in the editor. The metadata provides the
rich descriptive information about the boundary
files, as described above, and links to the web map
service to provide access to the resources online.
Users are able to search across dataset metadata,
filter based on keyword, spatial coverage, and year
of publication, allowing for improved access and
discovery online. Metadata and data are provided
openly for anyone to search, find, access, and
download. The creation of rich, standard metadata
enables easy access online, and provides a machine-actionable
record (XML) of the dataset information
that can be stored and preserved for the long-term.
Looking Forward
Figure 2 shows the digital census boundaries
available and our progress (at the time of writing)
collecting and converting census spatial datasets
and uploading them to Scholars GeoPortal. However
this table also indicates that there are a number of
significant gaps within the collection. Overall, we
are hopeful that this project will raise awareness
for librarians, researchers, and cartographers to
share any datasets that we are not aware of, and,
moreover, spur future digitization projects to fill
the gaps in the collection. There are already some
ongoing efforts to fill in these gaps. For example,
Statistics Canada is in the process of converting
and digitizing Enumeration Area boundaries
from 1971 and 1981. Since census geography is
hierarchical, these datasets can be dissolved up to
recreate other missing boundaries. Furthermore,
our collection of census boundaries will be added
to with spatial datasets from the 2016 census, which
is planned for release in November, 2016 and will
subsequently be uploaded in Scholars GeoPortal.
Another major issue and avenue for future work going
forward is the current lack of harmonization and
accurate concordance between spatial boundaries
over time. This hinders the ability to conduct
accurate spatio-temporal analysis, particularly
from the early digital years of the census (1971 to
2001) where boundaries were defined with varying
methodologies, precision, and coordinate systems.
There are some concordance and correspondence
tables for relating census data between years to the
same boundaries. However, these existing tables
are limited as they only exist for pairs of years
and they do not indicate any percentage changes
in area or population. This potentially leads to
imprecise results when using them to examine
how demographics at specific places change over
time. There have been some attempts to rectify
Figure 2 - Inventory of Datasets
ACMLA Bulletin Number 153, Spring/Summer 2016
42
these issues. For example, when the CCRI digitized
census subdivisions from 1911 to 1951, they used
consistent boundaries to allow for harmonized
spatio-temporal analysis over this time period.
In another project, Schuurman et al. (2006)
looked at fixing spatial mismatch between the
1996 to 2001 census boundaries in Vancouver by
conflating the road network files. More extensive
longitudinal harmonization and concordance
projects have been undertaken in Great Britain
(Gregory & Ell, 2005) and the United States (Logan,
Xu, & Stults 2014), but not in Canada at the same
scale. The first author of this paper is currently
working on a project to create a harmonized
longitudinal spatial database of census tracts
across Canada to allow for accurate spatio-temporal
analysis of census data at the neighbourhood level.
Conclusion
In this paper, we overviewed the landscape of
digital historical census boundaries in Canada
and detailed our work collecting these datasets
from a variety of sources, converting those in
older formats into Shapefiles, and making them
available online in Scholars GeoPortal. Our progress
has made these datasets more accessible and
easier to use for researchers, librarians, and the
general public. Moreover, by consolidating and
converting these datasets, we are enabling long term
preservation to prevent them from becoming lost
or obsolete. With the creation of an inventory, we
plan to assess any gaps between digitally available
boundaries and those only available in paper
maps in order to spur future digitization projects.
Improving the collection may also require further
curation, harmonization, and collaboration between
stakeholders (government, libraries, researchers,
etc.). This will be explored as we move forward
and work towards building a more comprehensive
national historical census boundary database.
References
Brittnacher, T. & Lesack, P. (2013). Boundary Files, Census
of Canada 1951. Accessed from http://hdl.handle.
net/11272/10268
Burchfield, M., & Kramer, A. (2015). Growing Pains.
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Gregory, I. N., & Ell, P. S. (2005). Breaking the
boundaries: Integrating 200 years of the Census
using GIS. Journal of the Royal Statistical Society.
Series A (General), 168(Part 2), 419–437.
Gregory, I. N., & Ell, P. S. (2007). Historical GIS:
technologies, methodologies, and scholarship (Vol.
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Logan, J. R., Xu, Z., & Stults, B. J. (2014). Interpolating
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