Do you need a map to illustrate an area’s changing demographics? Or you want to map how many pizza parlors are in your neighborhood? The library now subscribes to two new databases that provide user-friendly mapping programs as well as the capability of making reports with census and business data.
Social Explorer is an online research tool that provides quick and easy access to decennial census data from 1789 to 2010 and the Religious Congregations and Membership Study. The interface is much easier to use than that of the new American FactFinder. In addition it has annual updates to the American Community Survey. If the data exists, Social Explorer can create reports and maps at all geographic levels.
SimplyMap is web-based mapping and data analysis software that allows you to use and interact with complex data, in order to create profession-quality thematic maps and reports using extensive demographic, business, and marketing data. In addition to the basic software and data, the library has included the following components: Dun & Bradstreet 30 Million for business listings, the Simmons Data package and the Nielsen Claritas PRIZM. From the welcome page you can create a personal account that allows you to save your work. The library’s subscription allows for five concurrent users, so please remember to logout when you are finished.
Have fun — try them out!