Spatial Information Systems : A Guide To Library Resources

Definitions/Abbreviations

Dictionaries/glossaries are useful for finding explanation of terms in Spatial Information Systems as well as for information on acronyms and abbreviations. The following are some web-based sources:

AGI GIS dictionary

CCRS Glossary of Remote Sensing Terms
Dictionary of abbreviations and acronyms in GIS, Cartography and Remote Sensing

Geospatial Acronyms Server

Some dictionaries/glossaries are also available in print format

Starting Points

The following is a selection of overviews and introductory texts:

Aerial photography and image interpretation (2nd edition, 2003) [print]
[Discusses the use of aerial photography in natural resource management. The table of contents is linked here]

Computer processing of remotely sensed images: an introduction (3rd edition, 2004) [print & CD-ROM]
[Deals with the mechanics of processing remotely-sensed images. Covers a wide range of image processing and pattern recognition techniques]

Fundamentals of geographic information systems (4th edition, 2009) [print]
[An introductory overview of the ideas, concepts, and technologies involved in geographic information systems (GIS)]

Geographic Information Systems [web access]
[Describes what GIS technology is, how it works, and what it is used for. From the United States Geological Survey]

GIS-based studies in humanities and social sciences (2005) [print]
[Derived from a major research project involving human and social scientists and Geographic Information Systems researchers, this book demonstrates ways of applying GIS’s. The table of contents is linked here]

GIS files [web access]
[An introduction to the basic concepts of GIS and computerised mapping. From the Great Britain Ordnance Survey]

GIS for the urban environment (2006) [print & CD-ROM]
[Case studies, datasets and maps of urban planning applications of GIS]

GIS Timeline [web access]
[Presents a visual overview of key historical events in the development and growth of geographical information systems from their conception in the 1960's]

GIS Worlds (2005) [print]
[Overview of the development of GIS-based spatial data infrastructures (SDI's)

Global Positioning System: a field guide for the social sciences (2003) [print]
[Step-by-step guide through all stages of a GPS fieldwork project. The table of contents is linked here]

Global Positioning System Overview [web access]
[Serves as an introductory module to GPS]

Global Positioning System : theory and practice (5th edition, 2001) [print]
[Overview of the concepts of GPS as well as descriptions of the latest applications in surveying and navigation]

Handbook of geographic information science (2008) [print]
[Overview of the key topics in GIS]

Introduction to digital images and digital analysis techniques [web access]
[Provides step by step instructions on the basic analysis procedures used in the study of satellite images for a variety of earth resources applications]

Introduction to modern photogrammetry (2001) [print]
[Coverage includes the relationship of photogrammetry to remote sensing & digital image processing]

Introduction to remote sensing (4th edition, 2007) [print]
[Presents an overview of the most widely used forms of remote sensing imagery and their applications]
Manual of photogrammetry (5th edition, 2004) [print]
[Since the 1940s, this manual has served as a comprehensive reference for photogrammetry and photogrammetric applications. The table of contents is linked here]
Remote Sensing [web access]
[An online guide to remote sensing]

Remote Sensing and Image Analysis [web access]
[A remote sensing and image analysis online textbook]

Additional basic & specialised remote sensing texts are listed in the Library of Congress Science Reference Series Remote Sensing guide

Finding Books Using The Library Catalogue

Books can be found by searching the library catalogue. Keyword searching is probably the best way of identifying material, and your results will be maximised by using keyword searching techniques such as truncation and Boolean searching, and by incorporating subject headings into your search where appropriate.

For example, the library uses the subject heading "Geographic information systems" (rather than GIS or Geographical information systems) so it's a good idea to include this term in keyword searches. Here are some examples on how to construct searches:

"aerial photography"
("geographic information systems" or gis) and hydrology
"remote sensing" and "environmental monitoring"
("global positioning system" or GPS) and satellite?
("geographic information systems" or gis or "remote sensing") and coast?

Finding Journal Articles Using Databases

Journal articles can be found through databases listed in the Databases for Geography/Environmental Studies guide - Geobase has the most comprehensive coverage for geographical/environmental topics.

You may need to consider searching other subject-based databases. For example, if your topic is on GIS and public health you can search health sciences databases such as PubMed (for international coverage); Meditext and AustHealth (for Australian coverage).

For social science applications of spatial analyis the Literature Search of Spatial Analysis in the Social Sciences provides another option for identifying relevant books and journal articles.

There are also bibliographies of books and journal articles on geographical information systems and remote sensing - these are useful for identifying earlier material

Spatial Data Directories

A few starting points:

Australian Spatial Data Directory (ASDD)
[Provides search interfaces to discover geospatial dataset descriptions (metadata) throughout Australia]

CSISS Tools Clearinghouse
[Provides up-to-date information on software and also information on computer programs related to spatial approaches]

Discover Information Geographically (DIG)
[Provides information on the holdings of the Department of the Environment and Heritage on a particular topic of interest or for an area of interest]

GEO-DATA Explorer (GEODE)
[Interface for creating maps using data from the USGS and other US government agencies]

Geography Network -
[A global network of geographic information users and providers. It provides the infrastructure needed to facilitate the sharing of geographic information between data providers, service providers, and users]

Open Source GIS
[An index of Open Source/Free GIS related software projects]

Web Resources

Some starting points:

ACRES (Australian Centre for Remote Sensing )
[Australia's principal earth resource satellite ground station and data processing facility]

American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS)
[An imaging and geospatial information society which seeks to advance knowledge and improve understanding of mapping sciences & to promote the applications of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems]

ANZLIC (Australia New Zealand Land Information Council)
[The peak council for public sector spatial data management in Australia and New Zealand]

Australian Consortium for the Asian Spatial Information and Analysis Network (ACASIAN)
[An academic and applied research institution specialising in Geographical Information System (GIS) databases for Asia and the former Soviet Union]

Center for Spatial Technologies And Remote Sensing (CSTARS)
[Deals primarily with interpretation of remote sensing imagery, applications of geographic information systems, and landscape modeling of vegetation, hydrology, and climatology]

Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS)
[Its primary mission is to advance the spatial analytic capabilities of researchers throughout the social sciences]

Earth Observing System (EOS)
[NASA's EOS program studies the Earth as an environmental system by using satellites and other tools]

Earth Resources Observation & Science (EROS)
[A data management, systems development and research field center for the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) National Mapping Division]

GeoCommunity
[Portal for researchers interested in the latest GIS maps, tools, and software]

GIS development
[A geospatial resource portal]

GISCA
[University of Adelaide-based centre for social and economic applications of spatial information systems]

Global Positioning System (GPS) Resources
[A portal of GPS resources]

National Center for Geographic Information and Analysis
[An independent research consortium dedicated to basic research and education in geographic information science and its related technologies]

Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry Society
[Primarily involved with the co-ordination and promotion of activities in remote sensing and photogrammetry]

Spatial Sciences Institute
[A national body catering for the professionals who make up the spatial information industry in Australia]

World Wide-Web Virtual Library : Remote Sensing
[Provides key links to high-quality remote sensing sites]

Last update: 15 May 2009 Helen Attar