Detailed maps of DeKalb County are online and are being upgraded for easier public use.

The Geographic Information System on the DeKalb County Web site has maps showing all properties in DeKalb County, including individual lots, fire districts, voting precincts, physical land features and census information.

All the information is stored by the county, so it can be geographically referenced by location, said Joan Berkes-Hanson, director of the county Information Management Office.

Different maps can be layered to create a new map to illustrate a relationship between the information.

“New software is being installed to make it easier for novices to navigate and use the site, hopefully by March 2,” Berkes-Hanson said.

The Web site serves as both an information source and an organized way to network all 22 departments in the county. The information is useful to the planning and zoning department and the elections department, Berkes-Hanson said.

The readily accessible maps allow the local government to improve its efficiency with quick access to shared information, she said.

The Information Management Office is in charge of the GIS program, which involves accumulating information from every county department and converting it into map form. The office’s goal is to allow county employees, departments and the general public to access the digital information.

The GIS is available at www.dekalbcounty.org/GIS/GISWeb.html.