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Research : Activities : mapFAST

mapFAST

When looking for information about a location, it is often useful to check surrounding locations as well. The FAST Geographic subjects provide a clean access point to this material, and a Google Maps mashup was developed to allow users to see these surrounding locations that are also FAST subjects. The map interface allows for simple selection of the location, with a link to enter this directly as a search into either Open WorldCat or Google Books.

Impact

The prototype provides a different way to look at subject access to bibliographic records. It also demonstrates a strength of the subject faceting approach of FAST over coordinated subject headings. As a different approach, it is hoped that this will stimulate other novel ideas to help end user find their books.

Details

This mashup prototype was developed using the longitude and latitude information contained in the FAST Geographic authority records and is based on a Google Maps demonstration.

The underlying FAST Geographic authority records are available as a Web Service, allowing discovery of authorities near a set of geographic coordinates.

Outputs

Publication

Bennett,Rick, Edward T. O'Neill, Kerre Kammerer, and JD Shipengrover. 2011. "mapFAST: A FAST Geographic Authorities Mashup with Google Maps." Code4Lib Journal, 14,2011-07-25. http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/5645.

Team Members




Most recent updates: page content 14 December 2010, prototype 18 June 10.

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This activity is part of ResearchWorks. Use of our prototypes is subject to OCLC's terms and conditions. By continuing past this point, you agree to abide by these terms.

Try the online demo

The prototype for Michigan offers simple location searching and quick access to Open WorldCat and Google Books.

Project lead: Rick Bennett

Web Service

The underlying FAST Geographic authority records are available as a Web Service, allowing discovery of authorities near a set of geographic coordinates.