The McLaughlin Library and Computing and Communications Services will celebrate GIS Day Nov. 4 with a presentation series and map gallery from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Room 103 of the University Centre and in the UC courtyard.
Campus users of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) will showcase the contributions being made with GIS at U of G and in the local community and explore its potential role in teaching, learning and research.
GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, water features and terrain, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location, enabling planners, analysts and others to make informed decisions.
GIS Day is a global event that enables users to showcase real-world applications of the technology. This year's theme, “GIS: Not Only for the Geographer,” was chosen to help build awareness on campus of GIS and its use as a cross-disciplinary tool that can be applied to any research project with a geographical element.
“GIS has moved from being a highly specialized technology into the mainstream, making it accessible to people without any prior experience,” says chief librarian Michael Ridley.
To showcase just how wide-reaching the use of GIS technology has become, this year's presenters come from a variety of disciplines, including computing and information science, engineering, environmental biology, history, landscape architecture, population medicine and zoology. Ridgetown College will also be represented. Online registration for all presentations is available at www.lib.uoguelph.ca/resources/gis.
To learn more about the GIS services and resources available on campus, visit the resources section of the library website at www.lib.uoguelph.ca.
“The GIS service has highly skilled staff who can assist you with anything from creating a simple map to helping you analyze and graphically present complex data,” says Ridley.
