To: Maine All GIS Users: In the past few months the GeoLibrary Board and its consultant, the James W. Sewall Company has been busy working on both an updated strategic plan and a conceptual design for an integrated land records information system. We thought that this might be a good opportunity to bring all of you up to date on what has been happening. As we are moving through this project, we want to keep all of you informed on its progress and we want to make as much of the material as possible available on-line through our website at: http://maine.gov/geolib/ <http://maine.gov/geolib/> for your review and comment. We recognize that this project can only be ultimately successful if we meet the needs of the users in Maine and we know that we can only achieve that through your involvement and cooperation. We thank all of you who have invested time and effort in this project. For those who haven't had that opportunity yet, we encourage you all to take part and help us shape GIS in Maine on behalf of the entire state. Please consider joining the GeoLibrary List Serve at: http://lists.maine.edu/cgi/wa?SUBED1=geolibrary-l&A=1 <http://lists.maine.edu/cgi/wa?SUBED1=geolibrary-l&A=1> and joining our stakeholder list at: http://megis.maine.gov/stakeholder/stakeholder.asp <http://megis.maine.gov/stakeholder/stakeholder.asp> . Also, please feel free to provide input through the project blog ( http://maineplan.blogspot.com/ <http://maineplan.blogspot.com/> ). As you many of you know, a number of things have been completed on the project. The first part of the project involved providing the geospatial community with information on the purpose of the project and gathering input on user needs from as many in that community as possible. The project started out with Forums being held in Auburn, Bangor, Augusta and South Portland. These Forums were attended by 130 individuals. Reports on the Forums are available at: http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/forums.htm <http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/forums.htm> . While the Forums were underway, an on-line survey was conducted to provide broader base input for the community. We were delighted that 245 individuals from across the state responded the survey. A report on the survey can be viewed at: http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/GeoLibraryStratPlanSurveyRe port062408.pdf <http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/GeoLibraryStratPlanSurveyR eport062408.pdf> . In addition to the both of these a number of meetings were held with key stakeholders. A summary of gaps in statewide GIS coordination identified by stakeholders is available at: http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/Stakeholder%20Identified%20 Gaps%208-18-08.pdf <http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/Stakeholder%20Identified%2 0Gaps%208-18-08.pdf> . Subsequent to the initial phase, a review of the status of initiatives outlined in the Board's 2002 Strategic Plan was undertaken. That is summarized in a document entitled: "Maine 2002 Strategic Plan Five Pillar Update." It is available on line at: http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/Maine%202002%20Strategic%20 Plan%20Five%20Pillar%20Update%208-18-08.pdf <http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/Maine%202002%20Strategic%2 0Plan%20Five%20Pillar%20Update%208-18-08.pdf> . Also available on line is a summary of the GeoLibrary Board's 2007 funding priorities: http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/2007%20Annual%20Report%20Fu nding%20Priorities%208-18-08.pdf <http://maine.gov/geolib/projects/fiftystates/2007%20Annual%20Report%20F unding%20Priorities%208-18-08.pdf> . In addition, to the above, the Sewall Team has provided us with a document entitled, "Overall Maine GeoSpatial Listing of Issues and Action Items." This summarizes issues and action items noted in all of the above documents and provides recommended solutions, time frames and priorities. That document is attached. Over the next few weeks, the Board will be reviewing it and providing comments on it. We are also interested in your thoughts and invite you to submit them by September 12 by e-mailing [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> . Please title your email, "ME Strategic Plan Input." On September 26, 2008 between 4 p.m. - 5 p.m., Rich Sutton of the Sewall Team will be making a presentation on the project to the Maine GIS User Group annual conference in Presque Isle providing a full update on the work on project which will key in on the project's progress in designing an Integrated Land Records Information System. We invite you all to attend by registering at: http://www.megug.org/ <http://www.megug.org/> . On September 27, 2008, Rich will be making another presentation in Presque Isle to the 2008 Convention of Maine Counties. We encourage you to urge your county representative to attend to learn how an Integrated Land Records Information System could provide a positive impact for your County Government. In the meantime, if you have any comments on the Integrated Land Records Information System, please contact Richard Sutton at: [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> . In closing, we'd like to thank all of you for your comments and assistance in helping us make this important project a success. Bill Hanson, Chair , Maine Geo Library Board William H. Hanson, Esq. RUDMAN & WINCHELL 84 Harlow Street - P.O. 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