Geographic Information System (GIS) software from ESRI, ArcMap and ArcCatalog, is now available on Open Access Lab (OAL) computers.  Thanks to funding through Computing Information Services (CIS), students are able to work on their GIS assignments and research projects from their favorite OAL around campus.  GIS allows for in-depth analysis, organization and visualization for geographically referenced information.  Many fields of study such as oceanography, transportation, biology, urban planning, history and marketing use GIS for their data analysis.  Students in all majors may take advantage of this technology, using the spatial component of their studies to enrich their research experience.  Projects with simple research questions to complex research initiatives frequently rely on GIS data analysis.   

Access is also available throughout the University Libraries which shifted to OAL computers in the spring.   Extensive collections of worldwide GIS data are accessible free online through federal and state agency web pages.  In addition to the free resources, the Map and GIS Collections and Services department on the 2^nd floor of Evans Library holds specialized data sets.   Staff can provide a general introduction to GIS, as well as assist students and researchers in finding data.

“A variety of students come to the library interested in GIS.  Some have a departmental lab with access to the software while others have time constraints or lack access.  Last year, we provided a GIS laptop for patron use, but having GIS on OAL computers extends the tool to a wider group.  It is a great solution,” states Kathy Weimer, Associate Professor and Coordinator of Map and GIS Collections and Services.   She credited CIS and the OAL staff who acted on the proposal to add GIS to OAL computers.  

Miriam Olivares, GIS Specialist for the University Libraries, hopes that this initiative will bring direct benefits to students on their future careers, and research conducted by Texas A & M members.

 “Just last week we assisted a doctoral student who has never taken a GIS class, but was eager to learn the technology to support his research. His academic department does not offer the software, which is the main reason why he has not trained himself in the past,” she explained.  

For more information about the GIS collections and services provided in the library, see http://library.tamu.edu/maps-gis or contact maps-gis@library.tamu.edu.   Look for GIS Day 2009, a campus event scheduled for Wednesday, November 18.