Integrating Interactive Digital Maps into a Digital Library

Abstract

Digital libraries and digital maps are two fast-growing technologies in the world of computing. In this thesis we have explored using digital maps to enhance the functionality of digital libraries. The Greenstone 3 digital library system was augmented though the use of the digital mapping system, Google Maps. An automatic place name recognition and disambiguation system was created to obtain geographical information from documents as they were viewed. This extracted information was presented as a map with markers showing the location of the places within the text of the document. We evaluated the system by performing a user study and an analysis of the speed, efficiency and accuracy of the place name recognition and disambiguation system. Participants in the user study completed most of the tasks easily and made comments expressing their satisfaction with the system. Analysis of the place recognition and disambiguation system was also positive, as the system was fast, relatively efficient and was highly accurate.