University of Pittsburgh Library System

We provide cross-disciplinary support for Pitt community members in finding and evaluating geospatial data as well as in learning to use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and tools.

Services

Geospatial Data and Analysis Support

Geospatial data – or data which describes the physical locations of things on Earth – is vital for many kinds of analysis across numerous fields of study. We provide support for locating geospatial data and identifying appropriate analysis methods to apply to a particular dataset or research project.

We can help you...

• Discover and use relevant databases and open data sources
• Understand how to prepare data for use in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) projects
• Learn to use a range of software to create, transform, and analyze geospatial data
• Apply best practices for organizing, storing, and managing geospatial datasets and related metadata

Creating Digital Maps

Whether you need to create a simple map or learn to use software to integrate multiple geospatial data sources into layered digital maps, we are available to support your mapping projects.

We can help you...

• Understand basic concepts related to cartography and map-making, including the ethical issues involved when visualizing geospatial data
• Learn to use a range of GIS and mapping software to create digital maps, including ESRI tools (ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, and ArcGIS StoryMaps), Google Earth, QGIS, and more
• Find available support and resources at Pitt for producing more complex maps for publications

GIS Software Training

We can introduce you to a range of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools and help you identify relevant software and resources to support your GIS projects.

We can help you...

• Understand various geospatial filetypes and interpret common error messages when importing data into GIS software
• Learn to use basic GIS software functionality to address many common research questions
• Identify learning resources to explore more advanced features of GIS tools
• Apply best practices for integrating maps and geospatial data visualizations into publications or digital projects

For Instructors

Would you like to introduce your students to resources for finding geospatial data, or to develop a digital storytelling course activity that includes maps or timelines? We provide curriculum support in a variety of ways for arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM courses. Request a teaching consultation or class workshop related to any of our Mapping and GIS support areas by filling out the ULS instruction contact form.

We can help instructors...

• Determine which mapping or GIS tool best aligns with the rest of your syllabus
• Identify learning objectives related to digital mapping or storytelling
• Create a digital assignment or classroom activity
• Plan a Digital Scholarship & Publishing class visit or customized workshop

Read more about Digital Scholarship and Publishing Instruction.

Recommended Resources and Events

Research Guides

• Geographic Information System (GIS) Resources
• Finding Maps
• Finding Topographic Maps
• Pittsburgh Census Information
• United States Census Information

Specialized Software and Hardware

The Hillman Digital Scholarship Lab offers a range of specialized software to support digital mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) research, including:

• ArcGIS Pro (industry-standard GIS mapping and analysis software)
• Google Earth Pro (open-source global digital interactive map with some visualization and analysis capabilities)
• QGIS (open-source GIS mapping and analysis tool)

Members of the Pitt community can also access the above software virtually via the Pitt IT Virtual Computing Lab.

ArcGIS Online and ArcGIS StoryMaps are additional web-based GIS applications which members of the Pitt community can access by Pitt Passport log-in.

Library Events

The Digital Scholarship and Publishing team offers public workshops and instruction sessions by request. Upcoming events can be viewed here. We also facilitate communities of practice and host special events related to Mapping and GIS.

GIS Day is an annual, international celebration held every November to recognize the remarkable contributions of GIS professionals globally and to demonstrate the impact of geographic thinking. In 2020, for the first time, GIS enthusiasts from the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and community organizations like Draw the Lines PA organized several exciting events for GIS Day. The ULS often hosts related workshops and special events each November – upcoming events can be viewed here!