LI 861 XI and XJ Current Topics in Information Transfer:
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 Photo date 12/2005 © S.W. Aber |
| Introduction | GIS in Libraries |
| GIS Resource Links | GIS in Library School Programs |
| Conclusions | References and Readings |
Sample Introduction
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technologies began in the 1960s and has become a viable methodology with applications in government, business, and industry. The nascent field of GIScience has resulted through the power of combining software/hardware, GIS as a computer-based mapping tool and georeferenced database, with thoughtware, GIS as a means for human visualization and information management. By the 1980s, this field of study was growing and maturing through GIS practitioners and academic curriculum offered by geoscience, engineering, and social science-geography programs. GIS as a profession has driven the demand for research and subsequent dedicated mapping and spatial visualization journals and conferences. This in turn has demonstrated the need for further education and training and provided the justification for GIScience to morph into a recognized discipline by some universities that offer undergraduate and graduate programs and certificates (Hunter and Ogleby, 2002). While some of the opportunites for GIS education and training are at universities, other programs are offered by GIS software development companies (www.gisdevelopment.net/education/online/index.htm ).
In Kansas, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) offers undergraduate and graduate degrees with an emphasis in Geography and GIS (http://www.fhsu.edu/geo/degrees_certificates/degree_.shtml), while Emporia State University offers Geospatial Minor and Undergraduate/Graduate Certificate program (http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/geospat.htm). Kansas State University (KSU) educational offerings are found at http://gis.ksu.edu/ and http://www.k-state.edu/geography/. Information on Kansas University (KU) and GIS is found in the geography department http://www2.ku.edu/~geography/index.shtml and Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program http://www.kars.ku.edu/. In November 2007, FHSU will hosted the eighth annual GIS Day celebration, which is a grassroots, global event that was introduced in 1999 to enhance public awareness of the substantial contributions of GIS technology to all our lives (http://www.fhsu.edu/geo/news_events/GISDay/gis-day.shtml). The Kansas Geosptial Community Commons, http://www.kansasgis.org/kgcc.cfm offers data to Kansans and the world and is a wealth of information for new and seasoned GIS users.
This course was first offered for university credit in the spring 2007 semester. Visit Course Schedule and Syllabi to see when it will be taught again for ESU, slim.emporia.edu/program/syllabus/syllabus.htm. Or if you are interested in taking this course on the resources and services associated with map librarianship, please contact Dr. Aber at saber@emporia.edu.
This page was for the use and benefit of students enrolled at Emporia State University, School of Library and Information Management slim.emporia.edu/. For more information contact the course instructor, S. W. Aber, e-mail: saber@emporia.edu Thanks for visiting! Webpage created: December, 2006; last update: June 17, 2008. Copyright 2007-2008 Susan Ward Aber. All rights reserved.