Commons:Wikimaps/Cartographic GLAM model

Do you have a unique collection of maps, but they are not in active use by the public?

• Have your maps been digitized?
• Do you know how they are licensed?
• Does your web service allow users to find maps on a map?

How would Wikimaps help you?

• The map files can be hosted in Wikimedia Commons with a backlink to your collections. This will boost the discoverability of your maps and your collections.
• The volunteers around the globe may place the maps in their right coordinates. Could you do it any other way?
• Once georeferenced, the maps may be shown in any web mapping service in the world. They can be used together with and compared to other maps and geodata. They may also be used in applications, also in commercial ones.
• The maps can be used to illustrate Wikimedia articles, through which knowledge will accumulate.

In the following phase

• Volunteers may draw the geodata from the maps to record the changes over time.
• Wikipedia is multilingual. The geodata may be presented in all available languages. The maps can also be styled in various ways.
• All the data may be retrieved back to the GLAM, enriched with the knowledge of the world.

What you need to prepare for

• Staff time selecting and preparing maps for georeferencing.
• Unique URLs for each map image
• A platform for encouraging and supporting participation
• A location to house the georeferenced map images and metadata
• Dedicated staff time for checking maps, interfacing with partners and users