A new decade of uses for geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to research, measure and analyze library services
ISSN: 0737-8831
Article publication date: 29 October 2020
Issue publication date: 25 August 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore library research that uses geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to evaluate library services and resources to ascertain current trends and establish future directions for this growing research area.
Design/methodology/approach
The study searched full text for geographic information systems in two databases: Library and Information Science Source (LISS) and Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), replicating the method used in a prior literature review. The titles and abstracts of the search results were analyzed to gather only the research that used GIS as a tool to measure and analyze library services.
Findings
This study found growth in the last decade for library research using GIS. There remain two ways the tool is primarily used: to analyze service areas and to manage facilities and collections.
Practical implications
The findings are relevant for library and information science researchers and practitioners because they summarize a specific area of research that has grown and changed and that still has potential to be used more widely. Using GIS in practice and research could benefit all library users and nonusers because spatial analysis facilitates more precise and informed delivery of services and resources.
Originality/value
The paper provides future directions for use of GIS in library research and attempts to define subdivisions within this research area to clarify the area for researchers and practitioners.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Anna Sandelli, Elyssa Gould and Nancy Bright at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville Library for their assistance in gathering information regarding the databases used in this literature review.
Citation
Mandel, L.H., Bishop, B.W. and Orehek, A.M. (2023), "A new decade of uses for geographic information systems (GIS) as a tool to research, measure and analyze library services", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 1022-1038. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-03-2020-0052
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited