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CORVALLIS, Ore. -- A powerful new data-access tool for Oregon researchers, students, public agency staff, private industry and the public at large was launched today in conjunction with national GIS Day.  

The Oregon Spatial Data Library provides easy and convenient ways to find, access and share geospatial data at no cost to the user. Currently, more than 200 datasets can be displayed and downloaded, with more to be added as they become available. 

Developed in partnership with Oregon State University Libraries, the Institute for Natural Resources and the Oregon Dept. of Administrative Services Geospatial Enterprise Office (DAS-GEO), the Oregon Spatial Data Library features access to all statewide "framework" data available for Oregon.  These are the datasets that serve as "base data" for a variety of GIS applications that support important research, business and public services. 

Framework datasets include administrative boundaries, transportation, land use, ownership, water, hazards and wetlands.  Many state and federal agencies have contributed to the collaborative development and continued stewardship of these datasets.

The Oregon Spatial Data Library also ties the Oregon Explorer Web portal to the State of Oregon's NavigatOR initiative. Government agencies at all levels use geographic information in their daily activities and frequently request that data from DAS GEO. The Oregon Spatial Data Library is a first step toward connecting decision makers with the data they need when they need it.  

"Oregon has taken an innovative approach to obtaining and sharing geospatial data at a statewide scale," said Cy Smith, Oregon's statewide GIS coordinator. "Making this data freely available via the Web eliminates the need for duplicative efforts, thus saving taxpayer dollars.

"We are excited to be working collaboratively with Oregon State University to develop the Oregon Spatial Data Library. The portal also will enable coordination among state, Federal and local government agencies and will make spatial data available to the public in a user-friendly way."

In the Oregon Spatial Data Library, users can choose an area of interest to download parts or all of a dataset. This functionality builds on the huge success of the Oregon Imagery Explorer (www.oregonexplorer.info/imagery), the first Oregon Explorer data portal collaboration between DAS-GEO, INR and OSU Libraries.  This site provides access to .5m color imagery for all of Oregon acquired in 2005.