Site is currently being developed – please excuse the incompleteness
Questions about spatial processes or concepts? This is why we are here. Below are a set of common questions we hear, and an answer to get you started in the right direction.
Discovery
How can I find interesting or relevant maps in Stanford's collections?
You can search for maps in Stanford's collections using SearchWorks, the library's online catalog. You can also explore the David Rumsey Map Collection for a wide range of historical maps. If you need help finding maps, you can reach out to us for assistance.
What is the difference between davidrumsey.com and SearchWorks? How do I know which maps I van view in person at Stanford Libraries?
David Rumsey is a map collector with a collection of maps that he has digitized and made available online. SearchWorks is the Stanford Libraries catalog, which includes maps from the David Rumsey collection as well as other maps in the library's collections. You can view maps in person at Stanford Libraries by checking the item's location in SearchWorks or contacting the library for more information.
Where can I find spatial datasets to use in a project?
There are many places to find spatial datasets online. Stanford Libraries offers access to a wide range of spatial data resources, including the EarthWorks geospatial data discovery tool. You can also explore the U.S. Census Bureau's TIGER/Line Shapefiles for geographic data. If you need help finding spatial datasets, you can reach out to us for assistance.
How do I see a map in person at the Library?
You can request maps from the David Rumsey Map Center for viewing in the reading room. [More information on how to request maps.]
Branner Library is an open stack collection, meaning you can browse the collection in person. [More information on visiting Branner Library.]
Accessing
How can I include images of maps from your collections in my paper, presentation, digital exhibit, art project, or publication?
If a map from Stanford Libraries has been scanned and made available to you in SearchWorks, you can read the permissions statements on their page. Permissions statements will tell you how the map can be used, how to acknowledge it in your work, and who to contact for more information. Most of the time, there is a link to download the map image directly on its page. [Download links on Searchworks & DR.com; direct linking using IIIF; exporting map images from ArcGIS. Permissions?]
Using
How should I identify or cite maps I use in my academic work?
When citing a map in your academic work, you should include the following information: [Examples; description of acceptable uses]
Preparing
How should I prepare my map or GIS project?
Answer.
Combining
How can I add my data to Google Maps or a similar web map?
Adding data to a Google maps-style web map can be done in several ways using Felt maps, ArcGIS Online, Google Earth Web, StoryMaps JS, Leaflet, Mapbox, OpenLayers, or MapLibre.
Getting Help
Who can I talk to at Stanford Libraries about making a map?
If you need help making a map, you can reach out to the Stanford Geospatial Center for assistance. The Geospatial Center offers consultations, workshops, and other resources to help you create maps for your research or projects.
Branner and DRMC for examples for inspiration, project scoping, etc.
How can I learn more about GIS?
Here are some resources to help you learn about Geographic Information Systems (GIS):
- Stanford GIS course? - A Stanford course for learning GIS.
- [David Medeiros's consultation link?] - Talk to an expert cartographer.
- Mapschool.io? - Learn about GIS online.
Presenting
How can I georeference a map to show as a digital map overlay? In other words, how can I make geographic comparisons between a modern and historical map?
There are several ways to go about this. Tutorials below are arranged with the easiest one at the top and become more complex as you go down the list. Let's add some here.
-
How to Georeference a Map in Allmaps to Display in Felt
- *Simple tutorial for creating a georeferenced overlay of a historical map image on a contemporary basemap in Felt.com, a cloud-based GIS application.*
-
Georeferencing in QGIS
- *Learn to georeference historical maps in QGIS, a desktop GIS application, resulting in a more precise alignment between map image and location.*
How can I map a set of addresses?
Geocoding is the process of converting addresses into geographic coordinates that can be used to create a map. The recommended resource for starting your geocoding work at Stanford is the Stanford Geospatial Center's Geocoding Services for Research Guide.
There are several ways to map a set of addresses. You can use a GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS to geocode the addresses and create a map. You can also use online mapping tools like Google Maps or Mapbox to create a map of your addresses. If you need help mapping a set of addresses, you can reach out to the Stanford Geospatial Center for assistance.
https://github.com/StanfordGeospatialCenter/Locator-Scripts
How can I make a map without using advanced GIS software?
SimplyAnalytics, Felt, Google My Maps, and ArcGIS Online are all tools that allow you to create maps without using advanced GIS software. These tools are user-friendly and offer a range of features for creating maps for research, projects, or presentations.
How can I make a map for publishing in a presentation, journal article, poster, digital exhibit, etc.?
There are several ways to create a map for publishing in a presentation, journal article, poster, digital exhibit, or other format. You can use GIS software like ArcGIS or QGIS to create a map and export it as an image or PDF. You can also use online mapping tools like Google My Maps or Mapbox to create a map and share it online. If you need help making a map for publishing, you can reach out to the Stanford Geospatial Center for assistance.