Libraries sponsor second-annual Geographic Information Systems Day on Nov. 19

November 10, 2008

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The George A. Smathers Libraries will host an all-day event to showcase the use of geographic information systems (GIS) to the academic community and the public on Nov. 19. GIS Day is a global event that celebrates GIS and is held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, held from Nov. 16 to 22.

The George A. Smathers Libraries will provide this opportunity for those curious about GIS to see its applications in action. It also will allow the many departments on campus who use GIS to come together to share the research projects on which they are working. Most importantly, it will highlight the many services and resources in the libraries’ Spatial Information Services Unit available for researchers using GIS.

The event will include speakers from a number of different departments across campus as well as a special guest from the St. Johns River Water Management District who will talk about using GIS in litigation. After the morning presentations, there will be a cake-cutting ceremony and opening of the exhibit hall area. This area will include information about the many resources in the libraries that support GIS from data and books to GIS consulting services. Also offered will be demonstrations of GIS software, as well as booths set up by various organizations across campus and in the community that use GIS or related technologies.

A poster session will be held from 12:30 to 1 p.m. The posters will showcase how GIS is used in actual research at the University of Florida. The day will conclude with a geocaching event from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Pre-registration is required for geocaching on the GIS Day Web site, http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/msl/gisday2008/. Geocaching is a popular hobby that allows people to use GPS technology to locate hidden clues and treasures. Everyone, no matter what level of previous experience, is encouraged to sign up for this event.

For a complete schedule and list of exhibits for GIS Day, please visit http://www.uflib.ufl.edu/msl/gisday2008/ or call 352-273-2825.