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Maps & Geospatial: Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

Resources to discover GIS data, learn about GIS, and provide references for research.

What is GIS?

This guide is intended to provide students, faculty, and staff with resources to discover GIS data, learn about GIS, and provide references for research.

A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.

For more information, see:

Accessing GIS Software at Pennsylvania State University

Computers in the library managed by Penn State Information Technology offer a variety of software applications. A list of software is available through the IT Computer Lab Software webpage. Students and Instructors have access to the Penn State WebLabs for remote software use. 

All student computers on library computers at all campuses have access to ArcGIS software.

Accessing the current desktop version of ArcGIS
ArcGIS software is available on all windows ITS computers.  Some departments provide access to ArcGIS software. AcrGIS Online Basemap and streaming data is accessible via ArcGIS Desktop.

Open Source GIS Software

These open source GIS options are not available on the ITS public workstations. If desired to use, individuals are required to download and install on personal machines.

GIS Users Group

Maps and Geospatial Information Public Computers: Specialized Software Available

In addition to the softwares typically found on library computers, including ArcGIS ArcMap, R, and R studio; additional software is available on the Maps and Geospatial Information unit's public computers. This software includes: ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, GRASS, GeoDa, Saga GIS, Garmin BaseCamp, Garmin Map Install, and Powermap Preview for Excel. 

Esri software and Microsoft OneDrive

Geospatial files stored in Microsoft OneDrive can be accessed via GIS Software. Prior to attempting to access files saved in Microsoft OneDrive, sync OneDrive folder with computer.
ArcGIS Pro

In ArcGIS Pro, via the Catalog Pane, under the Folder Connections option, from your computer explorer window, drag the Microsoft OneDrive desired folder into the Catalog Pane.  

Standards