Mapping Your Library

By Patrick Hogan |

Two companies, one large, one small, both with origins as Stanford student projects, are ready to help you map your library.

Walking the exhibit floor at ALA Annual Conference, I am always curious when I see a tech behemoth. Google was exhibiting again at ALA. Though the booth had a "first-time exhibitor," label I recall its exhibits from the early days of Google Library or Google Books, if only because the swag was so sought after. The Google presence this year was modest, and its message as simple as its search screen: let us map your library.

Google has begun the beta project mapping indoor spaces, mostly public buildings, such as transportation centers, museums. The Portland (ME) Public Library was one of the first libraries in. Libraries need only upload a floor plan; the process takes minutes, once you’ve have the necessary files in hand. Google will create the map at no charge to the library. The Google rep estimated about 7-9 weeks for Google to process the map and make it available in Google Map for Android.

General information and step-by-step instructions for uploading a floorplan
List of available indoor maps

StackMap is a startup whose product will map an item's location in your building right to the shelf. StackMap integrates with any ILS and works on any mobile device. In addition to helping patrons find an item, StackMap features administrative tools, such as printing of end signs, alerts for range labeling errors, and automatically generated spreadsheets for managing stacks. Below are libraries using StackMap; others are on board to launch this summer.

Appalachian State University
University of Toronto
Stanford University
University of Texas at Arlington
Thomas Jefferson School of Law