Home ›

Services

Assistance with Finding and Using Maps & GIS Data

  • Map Collection staff will provide assistance in locating maps, and in using materials and equipment.
  • Staff are available whenever the Map Collection is open, to assist researchers to find and use any geographic information.
  • Atlases and books in the Map Collection are listed in the Library Catalogue. Some maps are listed in the Library catalogue, but not all are catalogued. To find maps, use a "Subject" or "Subject Keyword" search and include the word "maps" in your search, e.g. "china maps". If the Library catalogue does not list maps for your geographic area, please ask Library staff for assistance.
  • Geospatial data is listed in a web database at http://library.mcmaster.ca/maps/geospatial. Some data can be downloaded directly from Internet links. Data that is available to "McMaster Students / Staff / Faculty only" can be downloaded from Scholars GeoPortal http://geo.scholarsportal.info or requested from GIS services staff (contact: libgis @ mcmaster.ca or telephone extension 21283)

Equipment in the Map Collection

  • Computers with GIS software and electronic atlases
  • Microfilm readers
  • Microfiche readers
  • Magnifiers
  • Planimeters (for measuring map areas)
  • Opisometers (for measuring map distances)
  • Stereoscopes (for viewing aerial photography)
 

Computers with GIS and Numeric Data Software

  • Four computers with GIS software are located in the Map Collection, Mills Library L102.
  • Two computers with GIS and numeric data software are located in the Data & GIS Office area of the Map Collection, L104.
  • Four computers with GIS and numeric data software are located in the public area of Mills Library just outside the Map Collection doors and are therefore available for use on evenings and weekends when the Map Collection is closed.
  • Available software is listed at http://library.mcmaster.ca/equipment/data-gis-computers
 

Consultation Services

  • Visitors to the Lloyd Reeds Map Collection are welcome. For general questions, contact mapref @ mcmaster.ca or telephone ext. 24745.
  • For GIS services, contact libgis @ mcmaster.ca for an appointment.

 

Instruction Services

  • Class instruction sessions and geospatial data demonstrations can be arranged by contacting the Interim Director of Library Services, Maps, Data and GIS, John Maclachlan (maclacjc @ mcmaster.ca). Instruction can be arranged regarding geographic information tools and resources, census geography, Geographic Information Systems and geospatial data availability, or other topics related to geographic information on request.
  • Individual and group assistance in selecting geospatial data is available by appointment. Contact libgis @ mcmaster.ca or telephone ext. 21283.

 

ESRI Virtual Campus Courses