Maine Library of Geographic Information - Augusta, ME

Maine Library of Geographic Information

The State's Geospatial Data Gateway

The Maine Library of Geographic Information, commonly known as the Maine GeoLibrary, acts as the central repository and coordination body for the state's geospatial data. Operating under the oversight of the GeoLibrary Board and administratively supported by the Maine Office of Information Technology (MaineIT), its mission is to create a comprehensive, accurate, and accessible digital map of the state. The GeoLibrary does not function as a traditional library with physical books; instead, it provides an electronic gateway for accessing complex GIS (Geographic Information Systems) data. This initiative supports economic development, environmental conservation, and public safety by ensuring that high-quality spatial data—such as land parcels, road networks, and aerial imagery—is available to state agencies, municipalities, and the public.

Data and Services

The GeoLibrary manages the famous 'OneMAP for Maine' program, which seeks to standardize and distribute geographic information. Key datasets curated and shared include:

• Orthoimagery: High-resolution aerial photography used by planners and assessors.
• LiDAR and Elevation: Detailed topographic data essential for flood mapping and engineering.
• E911 and Transportation: Critical road and address data supporting emergency response systems.
• Digital Parcels: Standardized property boundary maps for towns across Maine.

Board and Governance

The GeoLibrary is governed by a board representing diverse stakeholders, including state agencies, municipalities, utilities, and environmental groups. They set data standards, prioritize acquisition projects, and manage grants to improve local GIS capacity. While the Board holds public meetings, the daily operations are handled by MaineIT staff. Users can access the vast catalog of data through the online Maine GeoLibrary Data Catalog, which allows for the downloading of shapefiles and the viewing of interactive web maps. This resource is indispensable for surveyors, researchers, and policymakers working within the state.