Geographical Information Systems Services

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) mapping software links information about where things are with information about what things are like (their attributes). Unlike with a paper map, where "what you see is what you get," a GIS map can combine many layers of information using interactive graphics capabilities. The power of GIS over paper maps is your ability to select the information you need to see according to what goal you are trying to achieve. GIS combines layers of information about a place to give you a better understanding of that place. What layers of information you combine depends on your purpose; finding the best location for a new store, analyzing environmental damage, viewing similar crimes in a city to detect a pattern, and so on. A business person trying to map customers in a particular city will want to see very different information than a water engineer who wants to see the water pipelines for the same city. Both may start with a common map - a street and neighborhood map of the city - but the information they add to that map will differ.

UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES GIS SERVICES

Who may request GIS services?

. University at Albany enrolled students

. University at Albany current faculty and staff

. The general public

REFERENCE CONSULTATIONS

GIS reference and assistance services are by appointment only. GIS consultation services are provided as needed using the publicly accessible workstation that includes the software in the Science Library Reference area, or at other workstations when necessary. To sign up for an appointment, contact Lorre Smith using the phone or email information below.

DEMONSTRATIONS AND CLASSES

University at Albany faculty may request a GIS demonstration or an introductory GIS class by appointment. Call or e-mail Lorre Smith to arrange the time and discuss details of class content.

GIS RESOURCES IN THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

The Science Library Information Commons provides ArcGIS software on all workstations. Assistance with using the program is available by appointment with Lorre Smith. Several government sources of data are available in the Government Publications collection, housed in the University Library. Assistance is offered for locating data resources elsewhere via consultation appointments with Lorre Smith, or by contacting the Reference Desk in any of the University Libraries.

"Maps and Geographical Information Systems Sources on the World Wide Web and in Print": http://www.albany.edu/~ls973/newmaps.html is a Web page designed to help in the location of GIS-related resources.

For further information and appointments call Lorre Smith at 437-3946, or send an electronic mail message to Lorre at .