The Benefits and Risks of Volunteered Geographic Information

In conclusion, VGI has been a boon to the discipline of geography in that it has popularized the use of maps and citizen science, such that peoplewith no formal training in the geospatial sciences can now contribute to theproduction of near real-time production of geospatial information in timesof crisis, as well as contribute to our understanding of environmental andhealth hazards. In addition, the proliferation of easy-to-use Internet toolshas enabled amateur geographers from all over the world to produce anddistribute geospatial information from the comfort of their living rooms. Indeed, these benefits highlight and promote the library's role in educating the public in the appropriate uses of data (i.e., information literacy). However, as we all become more engaged with data collections (including maps and VGI-based services) that are housed both inside and outside the library's physical and virtual domains, it is important to be well informed about data privacy and liability issues surrounding both traditional and nontraditional sources of information that their patrons are able to access using the library's computing resources (Sui et al. 2013). © 2015 Bruce Godfrey and Hayley Eveleth.