Submitted by Tara Lalonde

GIS Day, held on November 19, 2014, brought together people from across campus to celebrate GIS as an invaluable research and applied tool as well as an academic discipline of study.

Heather Ross (second from right) and Tara Lalonde (far right) talking about GIS-related library resources

The Information Fair portion of the day’s events was held from 1-4 p.m., in Mann Assembly Room, Paterno Library, and had information and representatives from the following groups on campus: Department of Geography, GIS Coalition, Online geospatial programs, University Libraries, geodesign graduate programs, Office of the Physical Plant, Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access (PASDA), Center for Environmental Informatics and Geographic Core Information Analysis (GIA) Core of the Social Science Research Institute (SSRI).

The above groups presented their work to interested students from across campus. Along with engaging with students in Mann Assembly room, posters were displayed in the Franklin Atrium starting on Tuesday. Visitors to the library were able to view these posters through Wednesday.

A GIS Networking Reception was held in 208 Paterno Library and hosted the family of Professor Emeritus Wilbur Zelinsky, who graciously donated many of the books and maps in his personal collection to the University Libraries. In return, the library offered many of these materials to the university community. Attendees enjoyed refreshments and had opportunities to connect with fellow geospatial colleagues and students on campus. Stay tuned for future events and sessions related to geospatial information in the semester to come!

Posters on display in the Franklin Atrium