North Carolina Geospatial Data Archiving Project/NDIIPP: collection and preservation of at-risk digital geospatial data

The NCSU Libraries is partnering with the North Carolina Center for Geographic Information and Analysis on a three-year project to collect and preserve at-risk digital geospatial data resources from state and local government agencies. This project is being conducted under a cooperative agreement with the Library of Congress in conjunction with the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program. Although the effort will focus solely on North Carolina, it is expected to serve as a demonstration project for other states. Targeted resources include digitized maps, geographic information systems (GIS) data sets, and remote sensing data resources such as digital aerial photography. State and local agencies frequently offer more detailed and up-to-date geospatial data than federal agencies. However, these entities are by definition decentralized, and their dissemination practices focus almost exclusively on providing access to the most current data available, rather than any older versions. The project partners will develop a digital repository architecture for geospatial data through use of open source software tools such as DSpace and emerging metadata standards such as Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS). In addition, the partners will investigate application of emerging Open Geospatial Consortium specifications for data interoperability in the archive development process. Specific technical and organizational challenges will be discussed.