MapPros! Careers in Geospatial Technologies

Lucinda Hall

"…libraries are adding personnel to handle geospatial data, questions and software."

"I think there is a disconnect when a person handles only geospatial data and doesn’t include the rich world of the printed map."

Librarian - Lucinda M. Hall

Field: Higher Education
Job Title:
Geography & Map Librarian  
Place of Employment: Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire

What is your current job and what does it entail?

In my current position, I am the Geography & Maps Librarian at Dartmouth College Library. I select materials in all formats for Geography, Maps, Cartography and GIS. I also run the Evans Map Room, which houses most of the cartographic collection in the Library.

In your day-to-day activities, who are the people that you interact with regularly?

I interact daily with Dartmouth students, staff, and faculty, and with users not affiliated with the College.

For your position, what skills do you need in geospatial technologies?

A working knowledge of GIS software.

For your position, what skills outside of geospatial technologies are required?

Advanced library searching skills, knowledge of libraries in general and Dartmouth libraries in particular.

What was the key factor in your career decision?

Love of maps.

What do you like most about your career?

Helping users find the map that best fits their needs.

What do you like least about your career?

There are lots of maps out there I know nothing about.

What do you do to relax?

Read, watch lots of television and movies, and cross-stitch.

Who are your heroes/heroines?

Too numerous to name!

What advice would you give a high school student who expressed an interest in pursuing a career in your field?

Get advanced degrees in both Geography/Cartography and Library Science.

Are career opportunities in your field increasing or decreasing and why?

Opportunities are decreasing, as more map collections are combined with other library collections, such as Government Documents, or as libraries leave map collections unattended. On the other hand, opportunities are increasing in other ways because libraries are adding personnel to handle geospatial data, questions and software. However, I think there is a disconnect when a person handles only geospatial data and doesn’t include the rich world of the printed map.

E-mail: Lucinda.m.hall@dartmouth.edu

Salary Range: $40-60,000
Degree Major Institution

BA

History

University of Notre Dame

MLIS

Library Science

UCLA