The GIS Internship Course at the Pennsylvania State University Libraries

James L. Sloan II, Department of Geography, Penn State
Elizabeth A. Wentz, Department of Geography, Penn State
Melissa M. Lamont, Maps Librarian, Penn State

Students who have done well in prerequisite courses covering GIS theory are encouraged to enroll in the Internship course. The following is an excerpt from the course description each student is given:

The course has been taught twice. We have had manageable groups of about nine students each time. They have come from various backgrounds - geography, computer science, mathematics, sociology - and have different levels of experience when it comes to computer software applications and programming. They also have various levels of ability when it comes to guiding the uninitiated through the steps - both in thought and execution - of processing, analyzing, and mapping geographic data.

In the coordinated effort put forth on their projects they take advantage of not only textual and digital resources but of people resources - the instructor, the library staff and each other. In their staffing work THEY are the resource person that patrons take advantage of. So, not only do the students gain experience working with data and software that contribute to a GIS environment, they also, in many ways, are made aware of the importance of people as primary components of a geographic system.

To view completed Maps Room projects: www.maproom.psu.edu