Output |
Some library map users will only need a digital file to be taken to
another location, while other users will complete their projects and want
a paper copy as a result. Transferring the map on the computer screen to
paper is sometimes not as straight forward as it sounds. The colors on
screen may be quite different from the colors printed out. Likewise, what
looked like good format and layout choices on screen may not translate
to an attractive map on paper. Only experience with the available equipment
and formatting options will help.
As for hard copy output, the library may choose to purchase printers
or plotters. A color plotter will be a much more versatile, but also more
expensive option. The plotter will print much larger layouts, and likely
allow for more variations in color hue and density. Plotters are still
rather expensive in comparison to the average color printer and require
more physical space. Ink jet color printers are much less expensive, although
depending upon the model may require special paper, and the ink cartridges
may become expensive. Although black and white printers are perfectly adequate
for grey scale maps, library users often are unsatisfied with black and
white output.
Transferring the electronic file to floppy or transferring data by ftp
should be common in any library providing data. Be careful with ArcView
projects to copy the entire project. We programmed a special button, using
Avenue, to ensure that the user leaves with all the data necessary to recreate
the project again. With geo-spatial data, the information is often too
large for floppy disks. On-line transfer options will be important to users
who need large or many datasets.
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Suggested Citation |
Lamont, Melissa, "Digital Map Librarianship: Library Functions; Using the paper collection; Output." Digital Map Librarianship: a working syllabus, 63rd IFLA
Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark. (4, Sept. 1997) <http://magic.lib.uconn.edu/ifla/lb_out.htm>
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