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ESRI UC 2026 Is On!
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Category Archives: Education/Learning
Call for Entries: Fifth Annual Student Exhibition Competition
The California Map Society and the David Rumsey Map Center invite all US-based undergraduate and graduate students to apply for an opportunity to curate an original exhibition of maps from our collections based on the topic of the applicant’s choice. Proposals will be judged on the strength of the topic, the effective use of maps in support of the topic, and overall quality of research and writing. Applications are due Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:59pm to rumseymapcenter@stanford.edu. Use the subject: “Exhibition Competition Submission.”
The winner of this competition will receive:
- Installation of physical exhibition in the Rumsey Center and hosting of a digital companion exhibition
- A pre-tax $1,000 award
- One year membership in the California Map Society
- Opportunity to present at the California Map Society’s spring meeting, and up to $1,000 for related travel expenses
Learn more about the award, past winners, and how to apply.
One-Year MS in GISci @ CSULB
The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) in the Department of Geography at California State University, Long Beach is accepting applications for our 1-year 30-unit MS degree starting in Fall 2026 (August 24, 2026 to August 6, 2027).
This graduate degree provides students with advanced analytic and technical training in geospatial technologies and professional skill building to prepare graduates for the geospatial workforce. The culminating team-based applied research project is informed by industry professionals.
Why CSULB?
- We are the #1 Geography Program in the CSU, #5 in CA, #9 in the West and #28 in the USA!
- CSULB Geography alumni are among the highest wage earners in 2-year income post-graduation from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Join a network of over 200 MSGISci graduates.
- You will receive excellent mentorship, instruction, and skill development to support your future professional goals.
Please visit www.BeachGIS.com to learn more about our program and register for an upcoming information session. Act Soon! Applications must be submitted via Cal State Apply by the June 1st deadline.
Library of Congress Webinar
The Library of Congress will hold a webinar on Nautical Charts.
Geography & Map Virtual Orientation: Nautical Charts
Date & Time: Feb 10, 2026 12:00 PM (PST)
Description: Reference librarian Julie Stoner and geospatial data visualization librarian Abraham Parrish will present an introduction to nautical charts in the Geography and Map Division collections at the Library of Congress. The first half of this orientation session will give an introduction to nautical charts, their history, and their uses. The second part of the orientation will highlight the various nautical chart holdings found within the division and how to search for and view these maps. After the presentation, staff look forward to answering additional questions from attendees.
2026 ESRI UC Registration Open Now!
Registration for the 2026 ESRI User Conference in San Diego is now open! Get registered and find your favorite hotel!
Cinematic Cartography
The next Cambridge Seminar in the History of Cartography will be held via Zoom on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 5.30pm UK time (9:30am PST).
The speaker will be Chris Lukinbeal, University of Arizona on Cinematic Cartography.
All are welcome.
Please register for the talk at https://buytickets.at/emmanuelcollege/1929457 and the Zoom link will be sent to you.
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On a side note, this reminds me of a book I purchased a while back, Cinemaps. You should pick one up for a Christmas gift! -mike
USGS Data Collaboration Announcement Webinar
On August 6th at 10:00 AM Pacific Time, USGS will host an informational webinar to provide an overview of the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) 3D National Topography Model (3DNTM) Data Collaboration Announcement (DCA) for the 3D Hydrography Program | U.S. Geological Survey (3DEP) and the 3D Hydrography Program (3DHP).
For more info and to register, click here.
Maps of WWII @ LOC
The Library of Congress will have a webinar tomorrow on Maps of World War II. Register here: https://loc.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/8717489749718/WN_-3eNMamQR1y7mybLbU1d5Q#/registration
Reference librarians will give a brief overview of maps and other cartographic items from World War II that can be found in the Geography and Map collections at the Library of Congress. This session will highlight items made by American forces, as well as captured maps made by the Axis powers. The breadth and content of these items and how they came to the Geography and Map Division will be discussed. Participants will learn how to search for and access them online or in person. The focus of the session will be on maps and online resources available to all patrons any time or place in the world, but attendees will also learn how to prepare for a future trip to the reading room. After the presentation, staff look forward to answering additional questions from attendees.
One-Year MS in GISci @ CSULB
The Master of Science in Geographic Information Science (MSGISci) in the Department of Geography at California State University, Long Beach is accepting applications for our 1-year 30-unit MS degree starting in Fall 2025 (August 25, 2025 to August 14, 2026).
This graduate degree provides students with advanced analytic and technical training in geospatial technologies and professional skill building to prepare graduates for the geospatial workforce. The culminating team-based applied research project is informed by industry professionals.
Why CSULB?
- We are the #1 Geography Program in the CSU, #5 in CA, #9 in the West and #28 in the USA!
- CSULB Geography alumni are among the highest wage earners in 2-year income post-graduation from the College of Liberal Arts.
- Join a network of over 200 MSGISci graduates.
- You will receive excellent mentorship, instruction, and skill development to support your future professional goals.
Please visit www.BeachGIS.com to learn more about our program and register for an upcoming information session. Act Soon! Applications must be submitted via Cal State Apply by the June 1st deadline.
History of Cartography @ UCLA
I will be teaching a California Rare Book School (CalRBS) course on the History of Cartography August 11th to the 15th at UCLA.
https://www.calrbs.org/history-of-cartography-2025/
This course is designed to provide a general overview of the history of mapping in the western world as well as the use of cartographic resources in modern day teaching and research.
Topics will include an introduction to maps (projections, scale, visualization of information), the history of map printing; the evolution of European mapping; the role of maps as cultural and social objects; the wide variety and type of maps produced; reference materials and cartobibliographies, and the role of museums and libraries as stewards of the content.
Course participants will interact with physical examples from archives and special collections, as well as examine maps in the larger historical context through a class visit to a highly regarded cultural institution. This class will also explore and critically examine digital cartographic repositories from around the world and the role they can play in education and research.
This course provides credit for the following certificates:
- a History of the Book course for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts, or
- 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Rare Books and Manuscripts, or
- a History of the Book course for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice
- 1 of 2 elective credit courses for Certificate in Librarianship, Activism, and Justice
Please do join me for all the mappy fun!
Ian Fowler
Curator of Maps, History, and Government Information
New York Public Library
SoCalGIS.org 