Mapping datasets available through Newman Library include orthophotography and aerial photographs of Virginia.

Most of these databases are restricted to Virginia Tech affiliates; users not on the campus network should use Off Campus Sign In before accessing the links. See our complete list of statistical and data set databases for more details.

The library keeps a number of CDs and DVDs with Census statistics in the Electronic Consulting Room in Torgersen 3320.

• A geographic information system (GIS) integrates hardware, software, and data for capturing, managing, analyzing, and displaying all forms of geographically referenced information.
• GIS allows us to view, understand, question, interpret, and visualize data in many ways that reveal relationships, patterns, and trends in the form of maps, globes, reports, and charts.
• A GIS helps you answer questions and solve problems by looking at your data in a way that is quickly understood and easily shared.

University Libraries' Reference and Instructional Services Department offers assistance in discovery and use of statistical and cartographic data in Torgersen 3300 and Newman 2030. Library data services supports Virginia Tech faculty,staff, students, and the larger community on assignments and research in two main areas:

Data services

The University Libraries collects and maintains a wide range of data through agreements with the US federal government, Commonwealth of Virginia, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), and other public and private sources. New sources become available via the Internet daily and we assist in discovery and procurement of sources on an as needed basis.

Geospatial services

Geospatial data is also available from the US federal government, Commonwealth of Virginia, other governments both domestic and international, and private sources. We provide access to Virginia aerial photographs, US Geological Survey maps and publications, and serve Blacksburg and Montgomery County data. We actively pursue discovery and procurement of geospatial data as requests arise and work with Office of GIS and Remote Sensing (VT-OGIS), the Center for Geospatial Information Technology (CGIT) and VT-Google Earth Enterprise.