The Indiana Geographic Information Council, an organization working to lead the application of geographic information in Indiana, recognized IU Libraries in the Education and Non-Profit category at the annual GIS Conference in Bloomington.  Excellence in GIS Awards acknowledge organizations for their exemplary use of geospatial technology in various projects.  The recognized project, Eastern Bloc Borderlands: Digitizing Russian Military Topographic Maps of Eastern Europe, 1883-1947, digitized the maps, allowing widespread access to the collection.  The Russian Military produced these maps in the years surrounding World War II, and they now offer students and scholars across the globe a unique perspective of the historical context of the time period.

“Changes in political boundaries, war, forced resettlement, and demographic shifts permanently changed Eastern Europe,” points out Theresa Quill. “These maps provide scholars with a unique historical view of the pre-war landscape,” she said.

IU Libraries continues to lead multiple digitization projects, employing technology to support research and offer resources to both students and international audiences.