News & Noteworthy

LITA Web Course: Getting Started with GIS

Getting Started with GIS

Getting Started with GIS is a three week course modeled on Eva Dodsworth’s LITA Guide of the same name. The course provides an introduction to GIS technology and GIS in libraries. Through hands on exercises, discussions and recorded lectures, students will acquire skills in using GIS software programs, social mapping tools, map making, digitizing, and researching for geospatial data. This three week course provides introductory GIS skills that will prove beneficial in any library or information resource position.

No previous mapping or GIS experience is necessary.  Some of the mapping applications covered include:

  • Google Earth and KML Interactive Sampler
  •  Google Maps Engine Light (just released)
  •  BatchGeo
  •  Google Fusion
  •  ArcGIS.com
  •  ArcGIS for Desktop
  •  Quantum GIS

Learning Outcomes

Participants will gain the following GIS skills:

  • Knowledge of popular online mapping resources
  • ability to create an online map
  • an introduction to GIS, GIS software and GIS data
  • an awareness of how other libraries are incorporating GIS technology into their library services and projects

 

Instructor

Eva Dodsworth is the Geospatial Data Services Librarian at the University of Waterloo Library where she is responsible for the provision of leadership and expertise in developing, delivering, and assessing geospatial data services and programs offered to members of the uWaterloo community.  Eva is also an online part-time GIS instructor at a number of Library School programs in North America.

Date(s) & Time(s)

April 21 – May 11, 2014 with asynchronous weekly lectures, tutorials, assignments, and group discussion. There will be one 80 minute lecture to view each week, along with two tutorials and one assignment that will take 1-3 hours to complete, depending on the student.

Fee

  • LITA Member: $135
  • ALA Member: $195
  • Non-member: $260

Moodle login info will be sent to registrants the week prior to the start date.

Technical Requirements

A Moodle-developed site will include weekly asynchronous lectures and is composed of self-paced modules with facilitated interaction led by the instructor.  Students regularly use the forum and chat room functions to facilitate their class participation.

The course web site will be open for 1 week prior to the start date for students to have access to Moodle instructions and set their browser correctly. The course site will remain open for 90 days after the end date for students to refer back to course material.

How to Register

Register Online

OR

Contact ALA Registration:  call 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration@ala.org or submit print registration form [PDF]

Contact

For questions about registration, contact ALA Registration:  call 1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration@ala.org.

For all other questions or comments related to the course, contact LITA at (312) 280-4269 or lita@ala.org.