How to Add a New Structure
Occasionally you will come across a structure collected by The National Map Corps that is not yet represented by a point on the map. In this case, you can create a new point to represent that structure! (Don’t forget to look around nearby for existing points that might be in the wrong location).
For example, while editing an elementary school, you notice a nearby cemetery that isn’t yet labeled in the editor. That’s a great opportunity to create a new data point and help with the important work of making the data more complete! However, you also have the option of intentionally looking for missing points.
The following methods can be utilized when checking for missing points:
Personal knowledge
Have you seen a new school or fire station being built in your community? If it’s new, it’s probably not yet on the map and should be added. For example, on your way home from work you drive by a brand-new hospital that probably hasn’t been mapped yet. After making sure the new hospital isn’t yet represented by a point on the map, look up the hospital’s website to verify the official name and address, and create a new point!
Area of interest
Is there a certain area you are interested in editing? Maybe the town you grew up in, or the city where you currently live? To find potential missing structures, look for authoritative lists of features in those areas.
For example, if you are interested in searching for and editing structures in Denver County, go to the official City and County of Denver web site and look for lists of features such as fire stations or police stations. You can then work systematically through the list to make sure that each structure listed is represented by a point on the map.
Structure type of interest
Are you interested in editing one type of structure, such as schools? Find a school list from an authoritative source such as a school district and go through the list to edit each school, adding any that are missing as part of the process. Some feature types, such as schools, are easiest to update by school district.
For example, if you want to edit all of the schools in the Shawnee Mission School District in Kansas, find a list of all of the schools in the district from an authoritative source, in this case the school district web site.
NOTE: When working from lists of features, even from authoritative sources, double check the currency of the information when possible.
Follow these steps for adding new structures points:
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Step 1: Check for Missing Structure Points
This section will walk you through the process of determining if a structure point is missing from the map.
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Step 2: Place a Point on the Map
This section will walk you through the process of adding a new point to the map.
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Step 3: Fill Out Attribute Information
This section will walk you through the process of researching and filling out the attribute information for a new structure point.
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Step 4: Save a New Point
This section will walk you through the process of saving changes to a new structure point.
Some things to consider when adding new points to the map:
- Before creating a new point, do some research to make sure there isn’t already an existing point in the wrong location.
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In cases where multiple structures share a building (e.g., a fire department, police department, and town hall), a point should be added to the map to represent each unique structure.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media DetailsThis building in Walnut Creek, CA, houses both the Walnut Creek City Hall and the Walnut Creek Police Department, each represented by their own point in the editor.
If a structure has a single use but occupies multiple buildings (e.g., a university or a large hospital campus), then only one point should be added to represent that structure. For college and university campuses, place the point on the main administrative building, if it can be identified. Remember to zoom in all the way when placing points.
