Geospatial and Digital Data Services

Mapping and Visualizing of Research

  • Providing expertise and tools for mapping and visualizing of research data for Faculty publications and presentations
  • Assisting in the geo-location of study sites and research objects/artifacts in a digital space
  • Assisting in the spatial analysis of these objects to determine possible patterns or new relationships with each other or other geospatial data (opening avenues toward new research)
  • Assisting with GPS and Mobile mapping devices (For example, downloading of collected data from researcher’s device for transfer to geospatial application for mapping and analysis)
  • Assisting in the geo-referencing and geo-tagging of digital photos to geographic coordinates for use in GIS software, Google Earth and other digital tools

Training in the use of Commercial and Open Source GIS tools

  • Providing one on one consultations and workshops in the use of both commercial ESRI GIS products, and open source software like QGIS and R

Paper to Digital Migration

  • Providing self-serve scanning for both small and wide-format materials
  • Providing guidance for large scale digitization projects including reproducing of old field notes, aerial/satellite photos, paper maps and sketches into digital material. Users may wish to take new digital copies of paper materials into a GIS for further analysis or electronic  publication/presentation   

Assistance with Research Grants

  • We are open for consultations and possible partnerships related to geospatial projects.

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Spatial Literacy Consultations

  • Providing research and curriculum consultations related to spatial literacy and how it can be applied

What is Spatial Literacy?

  • Spatial literacy involves an understanding and applying three main concepts when searching for and/or communicating with geographic or visual information.*

    These include:

  • Working with Space
  • Choosing what and how to Represent geographic information
  • Applying Reasoning based on the geographic information

*National Academies Press (2006). Executive Summary In Learning to Think Spatially: GIS as a Support System in the K-12 Curriculum. Retrieved on February 25th, 2010 from http://www.nap.edu/catalog/11019.html

Why is GIS part of Digital Humanities?

GIS refers to Geographical Information Systems - tools used to support the spatial visualization of data. As the GIS/Data Librarian, I am interested in helping researchers work with their data to create maps and other visualizations. These graphics can greatly enhance the communication of the research, opening it to a wider audience. The analysis tools inherent in a GIS may also extend the  research into new directions, opening the doors to new collaborations and funding opportunities.  We have a plethora of resources and expertise in the U of T Mississauga Library which faculty and students can utilize in support of their research needs.

--Andrew Nicholson, GIS/Data Librarian