AGSL Services - GIS Services

Overview

The staff of the AGSL strives to maintain current, in-depth awareness of GIS software, hardware and data sources, by selecting, organizing, providing access to, and archiving data collections. They develop user education programs and materials to integrate GIS and spatial data applications into research and instruction, and offer reference assistance with queries involving GIS, spatial, and numeric data.

Acquisition

The AGSL staff members will assist researchers in identifying additional sources of value-added and public domain geographic and attribute data and provide access. If the data the patron requires is not currently available in the AGSL, the staff will contact outside sources to attempt to acquire the requested data. Some of the commonly contacted outside sources include federal, state and local government agencies. Referrals may be made to other data clearinghouses. Major Library GIS data acquisitions will be announced on the UWM-GIS e-mail list and through official campus publications. Information on most AGSL holdings is available via Panthercat. For data that the AGSL does not own and has to acquire the time period to actual receipt of the data can stretch to many months depending on the source of the data.

Distribution

The AGSL archives and provides access to a wide range of digital data resources, much of which is accessible to the campus community on a first-come/first-serve basis. The staff of the AGSL will compile specifically requested data, and distribute it in the easiest accessible format (within the realm of copyright restrictions). Digital files are normally distributed on CD ROM. ZIP disc, or FTP may also be used as deemed appropriate by the Digital Spatial Data Librarian. Hard copies or printed materials are also distributed. For routine requests a 72-hour weekday turn around time can normally be met.

All data requests require a signature of the data requestor on the AGSL data request forms. To ask a question about the data request, please send email to gisdata@uwm.edu.

Reference

The reference services for the Digital Spatial Data Clearinghouse are based mainly on an appointment schedule. Students and faculty can make appointments with staff for assistance with data use, software, in-house equipment, and acquiring internal as well as external data. The AGSL does not provide classroom instruction in the use of software packages. Tutorials are available via the web to familiarize patrons with ArcGIS and other software packages. Limited individualized assistance after completion of a tutorial is available by appointment for data related questions only. Limited assistance via e-mail or telephone is also provided. Contact Digital Spatial Data Librarian, AGSL, UWM Libraries, at 414-229-6282 or gisdata@uwm.edu. Assistance to non-UWM users will be provided as resources and license restrictions permit.

Equipment

• Computers:The AGSL houses five computers with 40 gigabyte hard drives and 1GB RAM. Its operating system is Windows XP.These machines are mainly used for GIS purposes, and for sending GIS related print jobs to the plotter. The software ranges from ArcView 3.2, ArcView Business Analyst, ArcGIS 9.0, FME Universal Translator. Several ESRI extensions are also available, such as Spatial Analyst, 3D Analyst, Network Analyst,Geostatistical Analyst, and Street USA.
• Plotter: Hewlett Packard 5500ps. It plots on a roll of paper (42" wide) in color and is used for printing large maps or other GIS related projects for the library, pursuant to copyright regulations.
• Large Format Scanner: Colortrak 4280 color scanner. It scans maximum 42 inches of active area (max document width is 43 inches) with 400 dpi optical resolution (max 800 dpi). Scanning is performed by staff only. The scanner can be used to scan AGSL materials, pursuant to copyright regulations.
• Flatbed Scanner: Microtek, ScanMaker E6. Scanning is performed by staff only. The scanner can be used to scan AGSL materials, pursuant to copyright regulations.
• CD Burner: The CD burner is used by staff to make copies of data CDs for distribution. The staff can compile a unique CD for a patron which contains specifically requested data from numerous other sources. Recordable media type is CD-R.
• DVD Burner: The DVD burner is used by staff to make copies of data DVDs for distribution. Recordable media types are DVD-R and DVD+R.

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Comments for the AGSL? Send them to agsl@uwm.edu .