Expanded GIS Services Available at the University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collectionby Angie S. Gibson, GIS Specialist
Students, faculty, and staff visiting the University Libraries’ GIS Research and Map Collection (GRMC) on the second floor of Bracken Library will find the space has been transformed. Manyimportant changes allow the facility to provide more access to GIS resources for the entire Ball State community, positioning the GRMC to meet campus needs for increased GIS-enabled research and instructional space.
The University Libraries has increased the amount of space devoted to the GIS research area, now nearly 1,200 square feet equipped with 28 high-end Lenovo ThinkCentre computers with dual 22-inch widescreen monitors. The units provide students and faculty with access to the type of software required for any GIS or mapping project, including Adobe Design Premium CS3, Autodesk AutoCAD 2009, ERDAS Imaging 9.3, ESRI ArcGIS Desktop 9.3.1, ESRI ArcPad 8.0, Google Earth, Google SketchUp, Intergraph GeoMedia 6.1.6, and Rhino 4.0.
Two LG 55-inch widescreen LED monitors and an ELMO projector are connected to an instructor station, facilitating the use of the equipment for workshops and classes. GRMC staff plan to offer workshops and tutorials and to facilitate instructional sessions in the space. Ball State faculty and students who require GIS and other related geospatial software for instructional purposes can reserve the area. The space is also available for use by students and faculty for group and individual learning. A certified GIS staff member is available to answer questions and help users with their projects.
GIS-enabled computers are also available throughout Bracken Library since the software is deployed on more than 140 public workstations throughout the building. Visit the University Libraries’ Software Locator Web site to find these public access stations: www.bsu.edu/libraries/swsearch
The GRMC also provides users access to a broad collection of over 145,000 print maps, atlases, and travel guides. The GRMC provides members of the campus community with access to wide-format plotting and lamination services, both offered at a modest cost.
For more information about the GIS Research Area, please contact the GRMC at 765/285-1097.
