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Cartographic Resources, Maps, and Spatial Data

ESRI GIS products in the Student Multimedia Design Center

The Student Multimedia Design Center has powerful Geographic Information System (GIS) software by ESRI, installed on the Digital Mapping Station, including ArcMap for Desktop 10.8.1 and ArcGIS Pro 2.6.  Some preloaded data, compiled by ESRI, is available to use.  To use the Digital Mapping Station, please use the Library's seat reservation system, and choose Morris Library -- show all -- and select SMDC-Map Station to reserve Seat 049. For more extensive assistance, users are encouraged to make appointments with staff.

The Digital Mapping Station is restricted to those using GIS software or doing other digital mapping.  U.S. letter-size color or black and white printing jobs may be sent from the mapping station to the Print Release Station in the Student Multimedia Design Center. Fee-based printing of larger PDF files created in ArcGIS may be brought to staff at the Center's service desk for pring on 11" x 17" paper or the plotter which uses paper 36" wide.

ArcGIS Online login (in the Library or from anywhere)

ArcMap (available at the Library or  or for download)

ArcGIS Pro (available at the Library or for download)

More about GIS resources available at UD 

PolicyMap

The Library is pleased to offer PolicyMap, a cloud based data and mapping platform that facilitates the analysis of large amounts of data and quickly displays the data through maps, tables, charts and reports.  PolicyMap includes both publicly-available and proprietary data. A detailed Data Directory lists sources, years of data available, and geographic coverage. Video recordings of instructional webinars are available from PolicyMap's Mapchats page.  Tutorial guides are available on the site along with their blog, which highlights updates and new features, including how to download points and data.

PolicyMap enables users to create maps and provides access to more than 47,000 indicators related to demographics, income/spending, housing, lending, quality of life, economy, education, health,  jobs, crime, and education. The data is available across a wide range of geographies, including addresses, block groups, census tract, zip code, county, city, state, and Census metropolitan statistical area) in addition to school districts, HUD neighborhoods, and political boundaries.

Members of the UD community are encourage to set up a personal login at no charge via the new Create account button. With an individual login, users may login and work with their own data without it becoming public. With a personal login, users may share data widely or restrict access to select individuals specified by email address. While finished products may be shared with the community, research may also be closely held until it's ready to share.

Google Earth Pro in the Student Multimedia Design Center

Google Earth Pro is installed on the Center's Digital Mapping Station.

Google Maps and Google Earth are assessible and easy to use.  Google Earth Pro builds on the free version's accessibility and offers a variety of useful datasets.  Users may view parcel, demographic, and daily traffic count data for the entire United States overlaid on top of the same, familiar imagery of Google Earth.  Clicking icons on the map opens descriptions of the parcel, demographic Census data for the area, or recent traffic counts for a roadway.

Google Earth Pro may be used for quick research or to create maps.  It allows users to calculate distance in feet, miles, kilometers, acres, and more.  One may retrieve area and radius measurements to determine the buffer zone that may be required for an energy plant or the amount of concrete needed for a new parking lot.  One may also take 3D Measurements to determine the height of a building, measure viewsheds from a new residential high-rise to the nearest park, or line-of-sight to the ocean.  Google Earth Pro allows one to easily import data and style it based on important criteria.  

Finally, Google Earth Pro provides rich tools for sharing data with others.  Features include Movie Maker, so one may record and save 3D viewer imagery and save in real-time or a tour without interruption. One may make a movie that follows the camera viewpoint to and from multiple locations.   The Map Maker Tool allows one to create maps directly from Google Earth Pro.  Simply incorporating legends, HTML, directional indicators, scales and titles to a map. Customized map maps may be printed or saved as an image or PDF.  Google Earth Pro easily exports projects from in the industry standard KML format.

FirstMap, the First Map of the First State

FirstMap, the First State’s enterprise Geographic Information System (GIS) uses ArcGIS to provide a self-service GIS for sharing data among State organizations, academia, local governments and the general public. It was designed to meet a wide variety of needs for a diverse group of users. It allows GIS users to access a central repository of public data services that contain the most current data available.

New Castle County, Delaware Geographic Information Systems Map Viewer

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