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Humanitarian Mapping with OpenStreetMap

Learn about OSM with Vassar Libraries and help us contribute to the global mapping community.

The OpenStreetMap Project

We are excited about your interest in open mapping! Let's get started with what OpenStreetMap is and who uses it.

  • OpenStreetMap (OSM)
    OSM is a free street level map of the world anyone can edit. Everybody collaborates: remote and in-person, beginner and experienced, to contribute to a highly detailed, functional street map. In many parts of the world it beats out other mapping software (like Google maps).
    Baraka on Google Maps: empty field with single roadwayBaraka OSM map with roadways, rivers, city names
     
  • Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT)
    HOT rallies volunteer networks to focus the attention of OSM editors where it is most urgently needed in response to humanitarian crises, epidemics, and natural disasters.

OSM is the open-source software. Its goal is a complete global feature-rich map that anybody can update and use.
HOT is an organization that coordinates volunteer efforts to edit OSM with communities who need it immediately.