Campus Life

University Libraries to hold GIS Day program on Nov. 18

'Explore! The Power of Maps' will highlight the importance of geospatial information

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's University Libraries will celebrate GIS Day on Wednesday, Nov. 18, with a number of events highlighting the importance of geospatial information across disciplines. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and learn more about the extensive resources available to them in GIS and related fields.

This year’s program, “Explore! The Power of Maps,” will include presentations by Joseph Kerski, education manager of Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc. (Esri), lightning talks, an information fair and other events.

The program, cosponsored by the University Libraries and the Department of Geography, is free and open to the public.

Two related events will be held prior to GIS Day. “Getting to know SimplyMap, PolicyMap and Social Explorer,” a hands-on workshop, will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, in 302 Paterno Library and online (participants who do not have a Penn State ID will need to create a Friends of Penn State account to access the class online). On Nov. 17, a Maptime Chapter Event will be held at 6 p.m. in the New Leaf Initiative in downtown State College.

The Nov. 18 schedule in Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library, is as follows:

11:15–11:45 a.m.: “Five Converging Forces,” presented by Kerski. This talk will examine how geoawareness, geotechnologies, geoenablement, citizen science and storytelling are combining and how this impacts education and careers.

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Lightning talks

1:30–2:30 p.m.: Presentation on HERE maps

2:30–3:00 p.m.: “Telling your story with Esri Storymaps," presented by Kerski

3:00–3:30 p.m.: Lightning talks

Following the presentations, a networking reception will be held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Mann Assembly Room, 103 Paterno Library. Attendees will have a chance to enter a drawing for a $75 gift certificate from Geographic Research Inc., producer of SimplyMap.

In addition to the presentations, posters will be on display from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Franklin Atrium, first floor Pattee Library, and an information fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Leisure Reading Room, first floor Pattee Library.

If you anticipate needing accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Tara LaLonde at 814-863-5753 or tll38@psu.edu in advance of your participation.

For more information about GIS Day at Penn State, visit tinyurl.com/PSU-GISDay.

Last Updated October 21, 2015