Indiana has a geospatial learning community like no other. We have a supportive network of peers which rivals any other state. Why? Because we value our community and we keep learning more to contribute to the value of our work. The teaching and learning of digital mapping continues as a result of this positive cycle. Our Indiana Geographical Information Council (IGIC) conference occurs annually each May. It is attended by geospatial professionals, new and seasoned geographic information system (GIS) and data users, educators and students from Indiana and the surrounding states. This year marked the fourth conference competition for GIS students and early professionals, held by the IGIC Emerging Professional Group. Geography and GIS courses and degree programs are offered by Indiana colleges and through organizations like The Polis Center. People who are looking to learn GIS fundamentals can attend the Indiana Geospatial Training Academy (IN-GTA). GIS practitioners in this state come from a wide array of backgrounds and a number of them have gained their GISPs, an additional certification level for GIS professionals. There are also many geospatial courses and tools that can be found online at no cost. New learners are welcome!
Indiana’s geospatial history goes back to the mapping of Indiana geology and the first state geologist of Indiana, David Dale Owen (son of New Harmony founder Robert Owen), whose early geologic reports (the state’s first) precede our Indiana Geological and Water Survey (IGWS). Read more in A StoryMap: Landmarks in Indiana Geology – A Timeline. Indiana geography history harkens back to the first land surveying done in the U.S., early USGS maps and Purdue University’s early 20th century soil surveys. Today, the public can view map collections, both digital and in print, held by the Indiana State Library and by Indiana University, going back to the days of the Vincennes territory.
GIS is being used in Indiana to create new digital maps every day to answer questions and solve problems statewide. Historical paper maps remain accessible at libraries, as they can be used to discover paths to the past to verify land ownership, view location details and track geographic patterns over time. Not everything has been digitized, so call upon librarians for support!
Preview the print map collections and find digitized maps using the Indiana State Library Map Collection websites and the State Data Center Maps webpage. To view historical maps in print, you can visit the State Library weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and every second Saturday of the month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
View a subject guide from Indiana University Bloomington about their map collection, the largest in the state, as well as GIS tools here.
If you aren’t involved yet in exploring geospatial tools, this is your chance to discover how these resources can help illuminate parts of your own research and continue to tell your stories. You do not need to have a degree or know much about the technical side of GIS to benefit from it. Check out the Library of Congress collection of story maps to see the kinds of resources being produced today on all topics.
The Indiana Management Performance Hub (MPH), holds a free conference, Data Day, each spring in downtown Indianapolis at Indiana Government Center South. Many state agencies incorporate GIS and use geospatial data in their projects and demonstrate these during the conference. Visit the Data Day 2026 website to view highlights from this year’s sessions as well as session materials from previous years.
The Indiana Geographic Information Office (IGIO) holds a free conference, GIS Day, each year in the fall during national Geography Awareness Week, also at IGC-South. This year’s upcoming conference is Wednesday, Nov. 18. You can contact outreach staff for the office here. For more details about the IGIO, visit A StoryMap: 5-Year GIO Strategic Plan For the Indiana Geographic Information Office. The IGIO is also responsible for IndianaMap, the public portal to geospatial data. Here, you can use the viewer to select features and add map layers yourself from the Data Catalog.
At the IU-Indianapolis Department of Geography, you’ll find GENI, the Geography Educators’ Network of Indiana, which is especially geared towards K-12 and university-level outreach. Explore the website for lesson plans, educational resources, and opportunities for starting and supporting a career in geospatial arts and sciences.
Saturday, June 20, is the grand re-opening of the Indiana Geological and Water Survey Learning Lab, an experiential learning experience for all ages. Learning Lab open hours at the new location will begin on Tuesday, June 16.
Coming up Sunday, Sept. 20, in partnership with the Indianapolis Public Library, attend a GIS Basics program at Central Library, “Mapping Indianapolis: The Science of Somewhere.” Visit here for more information, to register and for a reading list curated by Montoya Barker, Special Collections librarian.
The wonders of mapping are here at your fingertips. There are so many ways to get involved in using maps to learn about the world around us. You can start at your library!
This blog post was written by Katie Springer, reference librarian and director of the Indiana State Data Center. For more information, contact the Reference and Government Services Division at 317-232-3678, or submit an Ask-A-Librarian request.