Customizing Web Content Using Google Maps Kay Benjamin & Nancy Cannon LiSUG October 10, 2008 Utica, NY

Today’s agenda An overview of the things you can do with Google Maps Examples of library applications Demo of creating a Google Map the simple way

What are Google Maps? Get directions Map view Satellite view Terrain view Maps with “things” on them – restaurants, bookstores, libraries…

Google Maps are used as a basis for many “mashups” The concept of mashups “A web application that combines data from more than one source into a single integrated tool” – Wikipedia

If you dig straight through the earth from Utica, will you end up in China, like your mother told you? No. You were lied to. How do I know? I checked it out on “If You Dig Straight Down.” It’s a Google map mashup!

Map + real estate info = Zillow

Applications of mashups at your library

Google maps & historical data – the story of Lucy Ann Lobdell

Another example of local history data merged with Google Maps

Google Earth view

Google Earth detail

Creating a Your Own Google Maps -- it’s easier than you think…

Google maps – how to do it Create a free Gmail account at Go to Google Maps, log in with your Gmail username, select My Maps Select Create a new Map Options include features such as place marks with photos, text, hyperlinks, videos; drawing shapes and lines; overlaying other maps Google maps can be published for the world to view since a unique URL is created

Google Maps: My Maps demo

Click on the tab for “My Maps”

Google Maps Resources Google Maps Mania (blog) My Maps - Google Maps User Guide Creating Google Maps – video

Questions? Contact us: – Nancy Cannon at – Kay Benjamin at Access this presentation at: OR