GIS Workstations

The lower level of Shields Library has two GIS workstations that UC Davis students, faculty, researchers, and other staff may to use for a maximum of two hours per day. The workstation room is located near, but outside the Map Room and is open the same hours as the Library. The workstations have the full suite of ArcGIS 10 software including:

• ArcView
• ArcEditor
• ArcInfo
• 3D Analyst
• ArcPress
• ArcScan
• Geostatistical Analyst
• Spatial Analyst
• StreetMAp
• SurveyAnalyst
• Tracking Analyst

Data and projects may be saved to a USB flash drive or to rewriteable CD/DVD.

An 11" x 17" color scanner is available for maps and aerial photography.

The Map/GIS Librarian can provide limited workstation assistance with:

• Software
• Incorporating data into existing GIS projects
• Technical support with software, hardware, diagnosing the cause of error messages, and managing files

Workstation use must comply with UC Davis Computer Use Policies (http://iet.ucdavis.edu/policies/) and the Library Computer Use Policy (http://www.lib.ucdavis.edu/ul/services/computers/computer-use-policies.php) as well as the following guidelines:

• GIS software and data licensed by the library may not be used for commercial purposes.
• Software and spatial data may be licensed and subject to restrictions on who can use it and how it can be used. We provide GIS users with public domain data and any other data and software that we can under the terms of the licenses.
• It is advisable to save your data and project files to portable media. Check with the Map/GIS Librarian, (530) 752‑5248 to find out what data storage methods are available.
• At the request of the GIS user we may create a directory on the hard disk of the computer to store files. All files that are not in the user's directory may be deleted. If stored projects begin to occupy too much disk space, this policy may be discontinued.

Available Data

GIS datasets available at Shields Library and the Physical Sciences and Engineering Library are either acquired through the federal and state depository library programs or purchased selectively. Most of them are for use with ArcView or ArcInfo. Data may be located by searching the Harvest Catalog (http://harvest.lib.ucdavis.edu/).

Online Data Resources

Aside from the data held on site, data may be downloaded from the Internet. Many government sites offer free data and some commercial sites offer data for a minimal fee. Some good places to look for free or inexpensive data include:

California Spatial Information Library (CaSIL) (http://projects.atlas.ca.gov/projects/casil/)

This state government site allows you to download free frequently used datasets for California, including vector data, DRGs, DOQQS, and other image data.

California Environmental Information Catalog (http://ceic.resources.ca.gov/)

An online directory for reporting and discovery of information resources for California. Participants include cities, counties, utilities, state and federal agencies, private businesses, and academic institutions that have spatial and other types of data resources.

City of Davis — Mapping & Geographic Information Systems (http://www.city.davis.ca.us/gis/)

Online maps and downloadable digital layers for the City of Davis

Geodata.gov (http://gos2.geodata.gov/wps/portal/gos)

U.S. E-Gov initiative to provide access to geospatial data and information

US Census Bureau's Cartographic Boundary Files (http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cob/)

Download boundary files that are selected generalized extracts from the Census Bureau's TIGER geographic database and are designed for use in a Geographic Information System (GIS) or similar mapping system.

LandScan (http://uclibs.org/PID/241791)

LandScan provides ambient population (24-hour average) data by country, administrative unit (state/province), pixel (sq km), and custom area. Data is broken down by gender ratio and age group. Access is provided by East View Geospatial through the East View LandScan Global 2011 Web App. Off-campus access is available through campus client VPN.
Data can be downloaded from the Web App for use in GIS software. GIS users can also access the data directly through their GIS software using the Web Map Service (WMS) or Web Coverage Service (WCS) , though this access has been spotty, especially off-campus

ESRI's Downloadable Data site (http://www.esri.com/data/find-data)

This commercial site has both free and for-fee downloadable files.

GeoCommunity (http://data.geocomm.com)

The GIS DataDepot has numerous data holdings that are available for free download, additional data can be downloaded via a "Premium" option or written to CD-ROM for a fee.

The National Atlas of the United States (http://nationalatlas.gov/atlasftp.html)

Downloadable map layers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Most of the map layers were compiled at a scale of 1:2,000,000 and cover the full geographic extent of the United States of America, although some cover the conterminous United States only. Some map layers include Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), Geospatial Data Clearinghouse (http://clearinghouse1.fgdc.gov/fgdc/EDCgateway.html)

The Clearinghouse functions as a detailed catalog service with support for links to spatial data and browse graphics. Participation in the Clearinghouse includes federal, state, university, and vendor participants in the United States and abroad.

University of Maryland, Global Land Cover Facility (http://glcf.umiacs.umd.edu/data/)

Satellite and satellite derived imagery and data.

USGS Geographic Data Download (http://edc2.usgs.gov/geodata/)

Links to information on DEMs, DLGs, and land use/land cover data from the USGS.

Websites for Digital GIS Data (http://www-sul.stanford.edu/depts/gis/web.html)

Stanford University's Branner Library site that provides many useful links to GIS Data resources.

Other UC Davis GIS and Related Resources

Geospatial Consulting Service (http://geospatial.ucdavis.edu/)

College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences Informatics Center (http://ic.ucdavis.edu/center/front-page)

Information Center for the Environment (http://ice.ucdavis.edu/)

Center for Spatial Technologies and Remote Sensing (http://www.cstars.ucdavis.edu/)

California Space Institute (http://calspace.ucdavis.edu/)

Engineering Services - Geographic Information Systems (http://facilities.ucdavis.edu/om/engsvc/gis/gis.htm)

Community Design and Planning Services (http://cdps.ucdavis.edu/)

Geography Graduate Group (http://ggg.ucdavis.edu)

GIS Related Courses at UC Davis (http://agronomy.ucdavis.edu/plant/ucd-gis.htm)

Geographic Information Systems Minor (http://registrar.ucdavis.edu/UCDWebCatalog/programs/GIS/GISfac.html)

UC Davis Extension GIS Courses (http://extension.ucdavis.edu/unit/environmental%5Fmanagement/course/listing/?unit=ENV&prgList=GIS)

gisinfo@ucdavis.edu

An e-mail discussion list for UC Davis and affiliated GIS users. To subscribe, send the message subscribe gisinfo YOUR NAME to Listproc@ucdavis.edu.