Last revised: July, 2010
GIS Resources at U.S. Government Information, Maps & GIS Services
Scope: This Guide will give a brief description of GIS Resources available in McKeldin Library.
Table of Contents
Overview
A geographic information system (GIS) is a computer-based tool that stores geographically referenced, or geo-referenced, data (i.e., data identified according to locations) and links it with non-geographic attributes (or data in tables) to allow for information processing. In addition to helping map your data, GIS software allows you see, explore, and analyze data by location, revealing hidden patterns and trends that are not readily apparent from spreadsheets or statistical packages.
Hardware
The U.S. Government Information, Maps & GIS Services computer room (room 4114 in McKeldin Library) has two GIS workstations equipped with the following:
- Intel CORE 2 processor
- CD/DVD Drive
- Multiple USB ports
The two workstations are connected to the black and white pay-for-print and color pay-for-print stations.
The workstations are available on a first-come first-serve basis. Please provide your own storage media.
Software
The two workstations are loaded with the following software:
- ArcGIS Desktop 9.3 with extensions
- 3D Analyst
- ArcScan
- Data Interoperability
- Geostatistical Analyst
- Maplex
- Network Analyst
- Publisher
- Schematics
- Spatial Analyst
- Survey Analyst
- Tracking Analyst
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
If you need GIS software for classroom use you can request it here.
Note: A faculty member must fill out this form.
Reference Books
A number of software guides and manuals are available on a cart next to the GIS workstations. Other GIS related books can be located by searching the UM Libraries' Catalog. User Guides for some of the CD-ROM data disks are also located on top of the CD-ROM cabinet.
ArcGIS 9 Workshops
Library staff teaches a series of workshops that provide a basic introduction to ArcGIS 9.3 GIS software and some of its capabilities. To find out more and sign up go to GIS Workshops (http://www.lib.umd.edu/GOV/gisworkshop.html). The workbooks used in these workshops are also available by contacting the GIS/Data staff at 301-405-9260. They contain step-by-step instructions that you can work through at your own pace on the GIS workstations.
CD-ROM Data Collection
GIS datasets owned by McKeldin Library are either acquired through the Federal Depository Library Program or purchased selectively. Most of them are for use with ArcView, ArcGIS Desktop 9.x, or ArcInfo. To view a partial list of data available go to GIS Data in U.S. Government Information, Maps & GIS Services (http://www.lib.umd.edu/GOV/gisdata.html). Using the data on some of the CD-ROMs requires that specific access programs be installed on the workstations. User guides are located on top of the CD-ROM cabinet. Other data may be located by searching the Catalog. Ask at the Information Desk to use the CD-ROMs.
Data on the Internet
Aside from the data held onsite, data can be downloaded from the Internet. Good places to look include:
- US Census Bureau's Cartographic Boundary Files
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/index.html - ESRI's Free Data site
http://www.esri.com/data/free-data/index.html - GeoCommunity
http://data.geocomm.com - The National Atlas of the United States from the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
http://http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html - The Geospatial One-Stop (GOS)
http://gos2.geodata.gov/wps/portal/gos - Bureau of Transportation Statistics
http://www.bts.gov/ - University of Maryland, Global Land Cover Facility
http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/data/ - USGS Earth Explorer
http://edcsns17.cr.usgs.gov/EarthExplorer/ - USGS Maps and Other Products
http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/ - USGS National Map Seamless Server
http://seamless.usgs.gov/
