Lots of great news coming out of the OSU Libraries this week!

Oregon Spatial Data Library launches in conjunction with national GIS Day

“A powerful new data-access tool for Oregon researchers, students, public agency staff, private industry and the public at large was launched today in conjunction with national GIS Day… The Oregon Spatial Data Library provides easy and convenient ways to find, access and share geospatial data at no cost to the user. Currently, more than 200 datasets can be displayed and downloaded, with more to be added as they become available. Developed in partnership with Oregon State University Libraries, the Institute for Natural Resources and the Oregon Dept. of Administrative Services Geospatial Enterprise Office (DAS-GEO), the Oregon Spatial Data Library features access to all statewide “framework” data available for Oregon.  These are the datasets that serve as “base data” for a variety of GIS applications that support important research, business and public services.” Read more here!

Learn about wetlands online through ‘Oregon Wetlands Explorer’

“A far-reaching, highly interactive Web experience that provides deep, richly illustrated insight on the historic and current states of Oregon’s wetlands is the newest member of the critically acclaimed Oregon Explorer family of sites produced by Oregon State University Libraries, the Institute for Natural Resources and, in this case, The Wetlands Conservancy. Oregon Wetlands Explorer takes users virtually to areas throughout the state, from coastal salt marshes to mountain fens desert salt grass flats and many points in between, providing information on wetland ecology, history, wildlife and restoration opportunities.  Oregon has lost more than half of its wetlands since European settlers arrived in the 1800s, and producers of the site hope the information will be helpful in encouraging protection of the areas that remain.” Read more here!

OSU Library earns grants to support digitization of key pieces of Oregon history

“Oregon State University’s Valley Library is the recipient of two new grants that will support digitization of key images from the state’s past, a new Web-based portal where the images will be publicly accessible and digital archive assistance for cultural institutions around the state that otherwise might not be able to afford such services. The grants and the Oregon Digital Library Project (ODLP) that they’ll help create will enable the Valley Library to build on its critically acclaimed role in preserving material documenting the history of Oregon and its people, said Terry Reese, who holds the Gray Family Chair for Innovative Library Services at OSU.” Read more here!