Quick Links
Upcoming Events and Workshops
-
Thursdays during the Fall Semester
10-11am GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
GIS Lab Office Hours
Need help with a GIS or mapping project? Drop by GIS Lab Office Hours for informal, one-on-one support and troubleshooting. Bring your questions, project ideas, data, or problems you’re working through. We can help with GIS software, spatial data, mapping, analysis, or figuring out where to get started.
-
Monday, August 31, 2026
3-4pm GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
What Is GIS? An Introduction to Mapping & Spatial Data
Interested in maps, spatial data, or GIS but not sure where to start? Drop by this informal introductory session to learn what Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are, how they’re used, and how you can get started.
We’ll provide an overview of GIS and spatial data, introduce some of the most common mapping and GIS platforms, and discuss how different tools can be used for research, teaching, data analysis, and visualization. Snacks will be provided! No registration required.
-
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
3-4:30pm Zoom
ArcGIS Online: Getting Started with Web Mapping
Learn the basics of ArcGIS Online and how to create, manage, and share interactive maps. This hands-on workshop will introduce key tools and workflows for working with geographic data and creating web maps for research, teaching, and communication. Registration is required.
-
Monday, September 14, 2026
2-3pm Hybrid
ArcGIS StoryMaps: Telling Stories with Maps
Discover how to combine maps, images, text, and other media to create engaging, interactive stories with ArcGIS StoryMaps. Learn the fundamentals of building a StoryMap and explore ways to communicate research, projects, places, and ideas through narrative mapping. Registration is required.
-
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
2-3:30pm Zoom
Python for GIS: Building Workflows for Analysis
Learn how Python can streamline GIS workflows and support spatial analysis. This workshop will introduce approaches for automating common GIS tasks, building repeatable workflows, and developing Python-based tools for analyzing and working with geographic data. Some prior knowledge of Python or GIS would be useful. Registration is required.
-
Thursday, October 8, 2026
1:30-3pm GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
ArcGIS Pro: Introduction to GIS
Get started with ArcGIS Pro, Esri’s desktop GIS software. Learn the fundamentals of working with spatial data, creating maps, managing layers, and using basic GIS tools to explore and analyze geographic information. Registration is required.
-
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
3-4:30pm GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
Map Design & Cartography: Making Better Maps
Learn the principles of effective map design and cartography. This workshop will explore visual hierarchy, color, typography, symbols, labeling, scale, and layout. Participants will learn how thoughtful design choices can improve the clarity, accuracy, and visual impact of maps and help communicate geographic information more effectively. Registration is required.
-
Friday, November 6, 2026
10am-1pm GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
Mapping in R
Curious about making maps in R? This beginner-friendly, hands-on workshop will introduce participants to the fundamentals of spatial data and mapping in R, then put those skills into practice with a real-world dataset or APIs.
The first part of the workshop will cover the basics of working with spatial data in R, including installation, key packages, common spatial data formats, and how to bring geographic data into R.
We’ll then move into a hands-on mapping workflow using a real-world dataset or API. Together, we’ll clean and prepare data, join spatial and non-spatial datasets, conduct a basic spatial analysis, and create both a static map and an interactive map.
By the end of the morning, participants will have a foundation for working with spatial data in R and a complete workflow they can adapt for their own research, projects, or analyses.
Light snacks will be provided - bagels and coffee! Registration is required.
-
Wednesday, November 18, 2026
TBD
GIS Day!
Save the date! Every year on the third Wednesday of November there is a global celebration of all things GIS. More details will be shared soon.
-
Friday, December 4, 2026
12-3pm GIS Lab, Peabody Library, Room 304
Georeferencing and Digitizing Historical Maps in QGIS
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to turn a historical map into usable GIS data using QGIS. We’ll start by importing and georeferencing a scanned historical map, then digitize features from the map to create new spatial data. Finally, participants will symbolize their data and create a polished map layout to share their results. No previous experience with historical maps or georeferencing is required.
Lunch will be provided. Registration is required by November 27th.
Past Events and Workshops
GIS Day Archive
-
The Art of Cartography: Historical Maps for Modern Inquiry
November 18th-22nd, 2024
Presented by Vanderbilt University Libraries' GIS Lab in collaboration with Special Collections and University Archives with support from The Curb Center for Art, Enterprise & Public Policy.
Join us during Geography Awareness Week and GIS Day for a series of events that highlight the artistry and significance of historical maps! We explore how historical maps can inform our understanding of cultural heritage and the narratives they convey about local communities. Learn to work with historical maps as primary sources and discover how to integrate them with geospatial tools for today’s research and applications.
Georeferencing Maps Workshop
In this hands-on workshop, participants will learn how to georeference historical maps using ArcGIS Pro. This process involves aligning historical maps with modern spatial data, providing a new perspective on historical landscapes and their contemporary counterparts.
Roaming Map Exhibit
Discover a curated selection of historical maps displayed throughout the campus libraries. These maps offer a window into the past and invite viewers to reflect on the intersection of geography, culture, and art. Track down all 10+ maps using our interactive app and learn more about the stories behind each historical piece. A fun scavenger hunt experience awaits as you explore!
Digitizing Map Features Workshop
This hands-on workshop will guide participants through the process of digitizing features from historical maps using ArcGIS Pro. Participants will learn to capture and vectorize map elements, such as rivers or streets, for use in modern geographic analyses.
Map Exhibit Reception
Step back in time with maps dating from the 17th century! This reception gathers all the maps on display from our roaming exhibit throughout the campus libraries, including depictions of Native lands in Tennessee, maps of Havana, Paris, and the renowned Blaeu maps (donated from The Collection of Stephen and Carina Bruce). Held at Peabody Library, the reception will include drinks, snacks, and an overview of the exhibit delving into the art of cartography.
Maps as Primary Sources
Uncover the value of maps as primary sources. This session will explore what are primary sources, how to read and analyze historical maps, interpret the symbols and narratives they convey, and understand their cultural significance. Perfect for anyone curious about the stories that maps tell and the contexts in which they were created!
