Geospatial Data Resources Guide: GIS Resources at UW

GIS Services the UW Libraries Provide:

Access to GIS software, platforms, and data. See the next column for more information.

Help with determining your data needs and assistance with locating data.

Help with incorporating data into your GIS projects.

If You Need GIS Help:

Contact the Libraries GIS staff at uwlib-gis@uw.edu or stop by the Government Publications, Microforms & Newspapers, and Maps reference desk located on the ground floor of Suzzallo.

We can provide in-person help either through an appointment with the UW Libraries' GIS staff or during the Suzzallo Library GIS Lab hours.

Data Related Library Units:

Government Publications

Map Collection

Data Services 

The UW has a site license with ESRI, the producer of ArcGIS and many other products. The site license requires that software be installed on University-owned computers AND be used only for educational purposes or non-profit reseach. This site provides information about how to get the software, how to install it, and how to connect with the GIS users at the UW.

Alternatives for current UW Students:

1. ESRI offers a free, one-year license to students enrolled in GIS courses at the UW. Software must be requested by the faculty member of the course and can be installed on student-owned computers.
2. Computer Labs at UW
   • GIS Lab, Suzzallo Library, ground floor. GIS Lab Assistant available 15 hours/week - hours posted on lab webpage.
   • UW-Seattle General Access Labs providing ArcGIS software.
   • UW-Tacoma Campus Labs providing ArcGIS software
3. Students may purchase ArcView and many of its extensions at an educational discount price (without the one-year time-out license) by calling ESRI TeleBusiness at 1-800-447-9778.
4. For basic GIS work you can download ESRI's free GIS viewer, ArcExplorer.

Use the Acquiring GIS Software page to participate in the University's ESRI ArcGIS license and obtain ArcGIS software (for any UW campus).

Sign in to ArcGIS Online using your UW NetID to access the University's online platform (for any UW campus).

Use ESRI e-Learning to access free, self-paced online courses and training materials for using the ArcGIS software (for any UW campus).

For information on the site license go to the ArcGIS Software at UW page.

The current list of site licensed software is available to view here (PDF).

If you are a student, staff, or faculty member, you can download and use ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Pro on your personally-owned hardware. See ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro for details.

If you are a student, you can obtain a 1-year timeout version of ArcGIS from your GIS instructor. No other ESRI software is available for installation on student-owned computers under the site license (though you can purchase student versions from ESRI).

UW-GIS-L is an open, unmoderated e-mail list for discussion of issues relating to Geographic Information Systems. Any issues related to GIS can be discussed, such as "How do I ...;" "Where can I find ...;" "What do I need to do ...;" "I would like to share ...." Topics may include discussion of hardware, software, data, etc. To subscribe to the campus GIS mailing list follow the instructions on the UW-GIS-L info page.  For general information about mailing lists at the University of Washington visit the Mailman List website.

The GIS Lab is provided by the University Libraries to support the use of GIS for coursework and research by UW students, faculty, and staff.

For more information regarding the lab, including hours, GIS assistance, and policies, see the GIS Lab information page.