Southeast Alaska GIS Library

Southeast Alaska GIS Library : Frequently Asked Questions

Who can use the data and are there costs associated?

 

The data are in the public domain and are provided free of charge for non-commercial use, however we request that users adhere to the guidelines outlined here.

Use Restrictions:

While these data are provided free of charge for non-commercial use, we request you adhere to conditions of use outlined below:

  1. Provide appropriate citation and acknowledgement on all subsequent publications and include the following statement in any publication/map/system/document:
    "This (publication/map/website/application) contains/utilizes data acquired from the Southeast Alaska GIS Library (http://seakgis.alaska.edu/)." 
  2. Do not redistribute the data. Datasets are updated periodically; please encourage other users to access data directly from this site so they are using the most recent version. 
  3. Provide the Southeast Alaska GIS Library with notification of any errors, inconsistencies, or omissions in Library data or documentation, and any source maps, references or other materials documenting the problem. Errors may be submitted to the address listed below. 
  4. Metadata documents should be kept with the associate dataset. If you make any changes to the data, please describe the types of modifications performed by updating the metadata.. Do not to misrepresent these data sets, nor imply that the Southeast Alaska GIS Library or its contributors approved the changes. 
  5. Provide a written or electronic copy of any derived data, publication or published map resulting from use of the data to the Southeast Alaska GIS Library at the address provided below.

 

Who owns the data hosted at the GIS Library?

 

None of the datasets hosted at the Library are owned or maintained by the Library.  Each of the datasets within the Library are either owned or maintained by the partner agency which contributed the data.  Where the ownership details for a particular dataset are not explained in the metadata, the contributing agency should be contacted directly about the data.

 

 

How do I contribute or participate?

 

Click here to learn about Library participation.

 

 

Why do some datasets use obsure naming conventions?

 

The datasets hosted at the GIS Library adhere to the naming convention that was assigned by the contributing/steward agency.  These names have been preserved so that automated replication can happen between the data contributor and the GIS Library - i.e. so the GIS Library can accept real-time data updates where possible.

 

The GIS Library understands that the naming conventions used by the contributing/steward agency may not be intuitive for external users, which is why the dataset is explained via an accompanying abstract.  The GIS Library advises users to review the abstract and metadata to better understand the datasets, particularly the datasets with unusual names.

 

 

Does the Library accommodate special data requests or bulk requests?

 

Yes, in many circumstances the Library will attempt accommodate special or bulk data requests (i.e. non-standard requests).  Non-standard data requests are handled on a case by case basis.  Please contact the GIS Coordinator with non-standard data requests.

 

 

How does the Library relate to AGDC, ASGDC or other geospatial data distribution efforts in Alaska?

 

The Southeast Alaska GIS Library at UAS operates autonomously from other data distribution efforts in Alaska, however, collaborates with these other efforts where requirements overlap and where it makes sense to leverage existing capabilities for the distribution of certain datasets.

 

 

How current is the data?

 

Each of the datasets should have current metadata associated it which explains the dataset (please notify the Library if you find this not to be the case).  Since the datasets and the metadata are updated periodically, we encourage users to access data directly from this site so they are using the most recent version.

 

 

What is GINA?

 

GINA stands for Geographic Information Network of Alaska.  GINA is the University of Alaska's mechanism for organizing and sharing its diverse data and technological capabilities among the Alaskan, arctic, and world communities.  While not a core node of the GINA network, the Southeast Alaska GIS Library at UAS does collaborate and partner with GINA - particularly around the provision of raster/imagery data.