USGS to retire Imagery Topo Base Map

The United States Geological Survey’s (USGS) National Geospatial Program (NGP) will retire the USGS Imagery Topo Base Map that combines aerial imagery with topographic map features like roads, place names, and contour lines into a single map view. It has been a popular resource for users who want to view topographic details on top of real-world imagery.

The USGS Imagery Topo Base Map service will not be available after November 16, 2026. Any application, map, or tool that references this service will not display the service data once the service is retired.

For more information, visit https://www.usgs.gov/the-national-map-data-delivery/news/imagery-topo-base-map-retirement .

Rather than a total loss of data, this retirement is a service reorganization. The USGS Imagery Topo Base Map service was a “hybrid” or multi-theme raster service. It flattened two completely different types of geospatial data into a single combined layer. You do not lose access to the underlying data. You simply need to change your application’s REST endpoints or base layer selections in your GIS software. You can replicate the exact same visual look by adding two separate services to your map frame.

For replacements, see the following: https://share.google/aimode/P8frdfd2y6oNMXZKg

Celebrate the life of Dr. Franklin Gossette

Hello Friends, and Fans of Frank, I hope this post finds you well.

CSULB Geography will be holding an event to celebrate and remember Frank. Please join us to share stories and celebrate his life. The event will be:

Thursday, November 12, 2026
5:30–8:30 P.M.

Anna Ngai Alumni Center
1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA
On the CSULB campus, near Lot G3 and Student Health Services

Please bring a story to share. You’re also welcome to add photos to this folder.

Pizza will be provided, a cash bar will be available, and Sarah will share some of his favorites to toast.

Information about purchasing campus parking will be provided separately.

Please RSVP by November 9, 2026

to CLA-Geography@csulb.edu.

GIS & Maps Librarian Position @ UCLA

The UCLA Library seeks a highly collaborative, user-focused professional for the position of Mercator Geospatial Information and Maps Librarian. Reporting to the Director of Research Services, the incumbent will provide support to UCLA faculty, researchers, students, and other stakeholders in utilizing geospatial data, tools, and methods. In addition, this position will be responsible for the Library’s print map collections.

For more info and to apply visit: https://recruit.apo.ucla.edu/JPF11374

LOC Geospatial Resources Virtual Orientation

Curious about the Library of Congress Geography & Map Division’s GIS and geospatial collections? Please join Geography and Map Division staff on 10/13 for a virtual orientation to learn more about our geospatial resources!

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Time: 3:00-4:00 pm (Eastern)
Location: Online

Register for this session here!

Cartographer Tim St. Onge and Geospatial Data Visualization Librarians Abraham Parrish and Meagan Snow will present an introduction to the Geography & Map Division’s GIS and geospatial collections at the Library of Congress. This orientation session, aimed at the general public, will highlight the Division’s collections of geospatial data, born-digital maps, georeferenced maps, special collections in the History of Computer Cartography, and discuss cartographic products created by the Division, including web mapping applications. After the presentation, staff look forward to answering additional questions from attendees.

Contract GIS Opening

Kosmont Companies is looking for a contract GIS person to help with their growing business setting up Enhanced Infrastructure Financing Districts (EIFDs) for cities. This is an important economic development tool. To start, they need generally described areas turned into a more precise and usable GIS layer and then pulling down parcel level data, including existing assessed value, acreage, and ownership data, where available.

They assume this to be 10-15 hours a week to begin. They recognize GIS has the potential to be useful in many more ways they haven’t even considered, so there is a good opportunity to expand this and potential make it full time. The assumed pay rate is $50 per hour and open to discussion based on experience. For someone who has considered doing consulting work, this is worth exploring.

Kosmont Companies headquarters are in El Segundo.

Send resumes to Joseph Dieguez (jdieguez@kosmont.com). Their need is immediate.