November 13, 2019 is GIS Day, an international celebration of geographic information systems (GIS) technology. “GIS is a scientific framework for gathering, analyzing, and visualizing geographic data to help us make better decisions” (GIS Day website). GIS is the technology that answers the fundamental question “Where?” GIS captures, displays, and analyzes geospatial data to assist in making decisions. For example, GIS helps understand where best to build a wind farm to avoid noise pollution, predict areas of flooding, inspecting space usage for available commercial space, or planning the most efficient truck routes.
Why is GIS important? Let Dr. Joseph Kerski explain:
CUA Libraries has delved into GIS projects in the past. In 2015, we did a GIS exhibit titled “A Brief History of Canon Law” that was part of the physical exhibit in the John K. Mullen of Denver Memorial Library. The story map traces the origins of “The nature of the Church as a visible society existing in the world demands that there be a formal legal structure guiding and coordinating the faithful to the attainment of a common goal. The body of these ecclesiastical laws is called Canon Law. Since there is continual change in society, there is constant change in Canon Law.” C. Vogel.
Some of the links are outdated so here is your chance to demonstrate your GIS prowess! Rebuild the online exhibit yourself by downloading the raw data files (CSV and text files). Send us a link on how you did! (You will need a Google mail account).
For an understanding of how GIS can be applied to everyday life, check out 1000 GIS Applications & Uses – How GIS is Changing the World.
Events
If you are interested in creating your own Story Map Tour and Journal, come to the workshop “ArcGIS with Story Maps” TODAY at 12:30 PM in 115 Mullen (Instruction Room).
For more information, events, data, etc. about GIS Day 2019, see the website: https://www.gisday.com/en-us/overview
Citation
VOGEL, C. et al. “Canon Law, History of.” New Catholic Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Vol. 3. Detroit: Gale, 2003. 37-58. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web.