The University of Nebraska–Lincoln Libraries invites you to celebrate GIS Day 2025 with us. This year, we’re bringing together our GIS Day event and the annual Map Competition into one exciting event. Whether you are a GIS enthusiast or simply curious, join us to explore how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) empower research, creativity, and storytelling.
The GIS Day event & Map Competition Reception will be hosted on Monday, November 10th, from 1–2 p.m. in Peterson Room 221, Love Library (City Campus). The event will feature a presentation by Pei-Ying Chen, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Digital Scholarship & Sciences Research Specialist Librarian, titled “Exploring Nebraska's Farmers Markets Using an R Shiny Dashboard.” This presentation will show how interactive data visualization can reveal insights into local products, growers, and their connections to place.
Kurt J. Elder, Information Intelligence and Special Project Coordination professional with the City of Lincoln, will showcase the Healthy Food Access 2025 map, which identifies neighborhoods with limited access to healthy food and guides targeted interventions like Lincoln Fresh mobile distributions and school markets.
We will also recognize the Map Competition winners, whose innovative and thought-provoking posters will be on display during the reception. The competition fosters a deeper appreciation for GIS, encourages spatial thinking, and showcases the power of maps in understanding our complex world—whether real or imagined.
Here’s the blog recap and photos from the event:
Group shot of the GIS Day presenters, judges, and Map Competition winners
Photo from the event
Competition Guidelines:
The GIS Day Map Competition is designed to be accessible and inclusive, welcoming participants of all skill levels, including those with no prior GIS experience. We want to emphasize that no specialized GIS skills or GIS software are required to take part in the competition. This competition is an opportunity for students from any background to engage with data and map-making.
Submission:
Participants must submit their digital maps by October 25, 2025 (extended to October 27, 2025), using the following form: https://unlcorexmuw.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6hxJYSkvclzq9N4.
Maps should be accompanied by a brief description (max. 400 words) explaining the map's purpose, data sources, and key insights.
Exhibition
All the digital maps will be showcased on our map gallery webpage, and selected maps will be printed and displayed during the GIS Day event and in the Love Library from November 10 to November 22. Please note that these dates are subject to change.
Prizes:
We have awards for 1st place ($100), 2nd place ($75), and a 3rd place winner ($50). Winners will receive gift cards, along with certificates, which will be awarded at the GIS Day event.
Judging Criteria:
Maps will be evaluated by a panel of faculty and staff members according to the following criteria:
Exploring Map Ideas: Real-World and Fictional Inspirations
If you're unsure about the type of map to create, here are some examples to inspire you: consider mapping real-world phenomena like climate change trends, population migrations, urban development, or delve into the realms of fantasy by crafting maps for fictional worlds like those found in epic fantasy novels, video games, or even your own imaginative creations. Below are two map examples:
Nebraska Map Federal Lands. From: GISGeography (https://gisgeography.com/nebraska-state-map/)
"Progress Of The Roman Empire, Illustrated By The Course of the River Amazon" (1824) by Emma Willard. From Emma Willard’s Maps of Time By Susan Schulten (https://publicdomainreview.org/essay/emma-willard-maps-of-time/)