Google Maps is expanding on their direction giving searches. Now in addition to their driving directions, which need to take one way streets and other such things into account, Google is offering walking directions. These directions will be pedestrian oriented, providing the most direct path from one place to the next for the walking person. This means that Google Maps will not need to send people around the block to avoid one way streets when they are walking.
However, there are a few glitches in the system. Walking routes recommended by Google Maps may not always have sidewalks. Also if pedestrian paths are not within the Google system, these may not be considered as the most direct route. Google is seeking to add more of these pedestrian pathways into its database over time. Currently the system is in beta and Google encourages its users to be cautious because problems like this are possible.
When I consider the information specialist side of my future MLIS degree, I think of Google. Google would be a wonderful place for a librarian and/or information specialist to work. Projects such as this Google Maps expansion would be great to work on. Coordinating people to determine the best walking routes from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’ and using the information in the database is an organizational dream for librarians. Google is in need of better information regarding their walking paths, librarians are gatherers of information. I think that Google and librarians are just a great fit.
Outside of working for Google, librarians would benefit from making sure the directions to the library, both walking and driving are accurate. Public libraries can get extensive foot traffic and of course libraries want people to arrive at their destination. Google Maps may be used to the library’s advantage on the library website. Links could be created for walking and driving directions to the building. Of course, this website feature would greatly depend on the size of the city. I do not believe that my 1000 person hometown would need a Google Maps direction link on its non-existent website. But the Iowa City, and even the Coralville and North Liberty libraries could benefit from a similar feature. I can especially see Iowa City Public Library benefiting due to its location on the Pedestrian Mall. I am sure that other libraries across the country are more accessible through pedestrian or walking paths than by driving. These are the types of libraries that could benefit from Google Maps’ new beta database.
DuVander, Adam. “Google Maps Gets More Pedestrian.” Webmonkey.com. (22 July 2008). 22 July 2008. <http://www.webmonkey.com/blog/Google_Maps_Gets_More_Pedestrian>
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