This document provides an overview of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), highlighting its capabilities in managing and analyzing spatial data through both vector and raster formats. It explains the uses of GIS in various applications such as conservation, vehicle routing, and demographic research, and lists sources of GIS data from federal, state, and local levels. The document also discusses different types of GIS software, including professional tools and lightweight applications, along with examples relevant for libraries.

1. Data Visualization with GIS
Kate Dougherty, University of Arkansas
Internet Librarian International
October 16, 2013

2. What is GIS?
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a
computer-based method for collecting,
managing, analyzing, modeling, and
presenting geographic or spatial data.
• Can overlay maps and datasets and query
them in terms of their spatial relationships to
each other.

3. Vector Data
Individual features:
– Points for cities
– Roads
– Boundaries
Raster Data
Continuous or gridded data:
– Air photos
– Satellite imagery
– Scanned maps

4. What is GIS Used For?
•
•
•
•
•
Identifying conservation areas
Vehicle routing
Siting new facilities
Market and demographic research
Much more!

5. Where does the data come from?
• Federal
– Geo.data.gov
– Many countries have a
central GIS portal
• State GIS portals
• Local (counties/cities)
– Quality & availability of
local portals vary widely
• Educational institutions
• Non-profits
• Commercial sources

6. Types of GIS Software
“GIS Lite”
Professional
• Focus on display:
• Focus on analysis:
–
–
–
–
Google Earth
Google Maps
BatchGeo
Many others
–
–
–
–
Esri’s ArcGIS/ArcMap
Quantum GIS
GRASS
Others

7. Quantum GIS (QGIS)
• Open source professional-level software
– From the Open Source Geospatial Foundation
http://www.qgis.org/

8. Click to add data
Table of
contents that
shows &
organizes the
project’s
layers.
The “data frame” that displays the spatial data.

19. “Lightweight” Applications
• GeoCommons.com
• Google Maps/Google
Fusion Tables
• BatchGeo.com
• Simply Map
(subscription)
• Policy Map
(subscription)

20. GeoCommons.com
• Platform for sharing and • Upload & map data
(files up to 20 MB)
visualization of data
through maps
• Analyze data
• Open source
• Use or combine with
others’ data to create
• Cloud-based
new maps

29. Description
for field
Check to get
summary
statistics

31. Summary statistics
for fields where
we checked
“Categorize”.

37. Analysis

39. Sample “GIS Lite” Projects for
Libraries

42. http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/project_details.cfm?id=747&index=747&domain=#.Ua0SofwoZIY.twitter

43. Thank You!
Kate Dougherty
Geosciences and Maps Librarian
University of Arkansas
kdough03@gmail.com
Twitter: @kate_dougherty
Background: Geologic Map of County Clare, http://frackingfreeireland.org/info-to-download/maps/