StoryMap JS by KnightLab

StoryMap JS is a free, open-source storytelling tool developed by Knight Lab at Northwestern University. It allows users to craft narratives tied to specific geographic locations. It works by linking a series of slides to specific points on a map, each of which is enriched with text, images, and multimedia. As the story unfolds, the map pans and zooms to highlight each location, creating a visually engaging experience.

This tool is ideal for educators, researchers, journalists, and creatives, as StoryMap JS makes it easy to build interactive timelines, travelogues, and historical journeys without requiring coding skills. Refer to the Resources Page for a video tutorial below, which provides a walkthrough of the tool. 

StoryMap examples: 

• Arya’s Journey visualizes Arya Stark's path across Westeros. She is a character from the book series “Game of Thrones.” This storymap uses a high-resolution map of the continent. It has clickable markers detailing her stops from Winterfell southward, through key locations such as the Riverlands, Harrenhal, and Braavos.
• The Books He Carried: A Study of Lindsley Foot Hall’s Reading Habits on His Travels traces Lindsley Foote Hall's journeys while highlighting the books he carried with him. It maps the route of his travels and pairs each location with the specific books he read or carried, providing historical context and insights into his reading habits. 

Mapping is a valuable method for researchers to visualize spatial relationships and uncover patterns in data. It allows complex information, such as historical events, environmental changes, or social movements, to be presented in a geographic context. Tools like StoryMap JS enhance this by combining maps with multimedia storytelling, making research more engaging and accessible. Researchers can embed images, videos, and text directly into maps to provide deeper context. Ultimately, mapping transforms static data into dynamic insights that invite exploration and understanding. Below is a research guide from UT Libraries with additional resources, links, and subject librarians available for one-on-one consultations: GIS and Geospatial Data Services.