GIS Lab Policies
Mission:
The mission of the GIS Lab is to provide space, software and equipment for UW students to work on their GIS assignments with skilled assistance for basic GIS operations. Group work on GIS projects is particularly welcomed in this space.
Location
Hours and Staffing
Hardware and Software
Printing
Policies
Feedback
Location
The GIS Lab is located west of the Government Publications Reference Desk on the ground floor of the Suzzallo Library adjacent to the Government Publications Stacks.
Hours and Staffing
Lab staff can provide assistance with basic GIS tasks such as discovering data for your project, getting data into your project, and basic geo-processing tasks. TAs and instructors remain the primary source of information about assignment scope and requirements.
The GIS Lab is open for drop-in use all building hours unless previously scheduled. A daily schedule is posted on the door.
GIS Assistance is available in the lab as noted below.
OR email your question to uwlib-gis@uw.edu.
GIS Assistance Available |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
| SSummer 2016 (Jun. 13 - Sept.28) | NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
NO GIS HELP |
Holidays (No GIS Assistance) |
Hardware and Software
The lab has 21 Dell workstations. Software available includes:
- ArcGIS Desktop Suite (v10.2)
- Microsoft Office 2010
- 7 - Zip File Manager (Zipping Software)
- Various utilities to facilitate GIS data downloading and manipulation
Printing
Printing is available from library workstations for a small fee at several central locations. Please click here for more information on printing from library workstations.
Policies
- General Usage
- Open to students, staff and faculty of the University of Washington with a UWNetID.
- Computers require UWNetID login to access applications. Login failure will require presentation of a current, valid UW ID (Husky Card) to remain in the lab.
- Computers and ESRI Software are for educational, non-commercial, University related projects and research ONLY. Please familiarize yourself with the ESRI/UW Site License for more details on use restrictions.
- No food, drink, or smoking is allowed in the lab.
- No game playing.
- Users requiring GIS software are given priority use of computers in this room during designated GIS Lab hours. If the lab is full and people are waiting to do GIS work you may be asked to give up your workstation.
- No general computer support is available from lab staff. Lab staff will only support GIS applications consistent with the Lab Mission Statement.
- We support collaborative group work, however, noise is to be kept to a minimum. Disruptive patrons will be asked to leave. The Libraries Code of Conduct and Library Computer Use policies will be enforced.
- The Libraries does not bear responsibility for loss or damage of data or disks that occurs in the lab. Staff will attempt to assist in the recovery of data but cannot guarantee its recovery. The client accepts the risk that data can be irrecoverably lost.
- All clients must be aware of and abide by all federal copyright laws and any data licenses or use restrictions. See the UW Copyright Information Page for details.
- Licensed software on the computers may not be copied for any purpose.
- All legal restrictions about the use of university resources apply.
- The lab closes at 10pm Sun-Thurs, 6pm Fri and 5pm Sat. Begin saving your work and backing it up at least 30 minutes before the lab closes. See our file storage and back-up pages for options.
- Please use PINE, PC-Pine or WebPine for email rather than Outlook or Outlook Express
- Security
- The Libraries Code of Conduct and Library Computer Use policies will be enforced.
- File Storage/Backup
- Each workstation is equipped with a 40GB hard disk for temporary file storage.
- You will not be able to store files on the workstation for any longer than you are actually sitting and working in the lab.
- ALL DATA LEFT ON WORKSTATIONS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY DELETED AFTER 15 MINUTES OF INACTIVITY AND/OR NIGHTLY, NO EXCEPTIONS.
- You are responsible for backing up your data before you leave the lab to either a *USB/thumb/jump drive, *portable hard-drive, *FTP account (e.g. Dante), or *DVD/CD.
- While you are using one of the lab computers, you may store files temporarily in the My Documents, Desktop, C:\Downloads, C:\WorkSpace, and C:\Temp folders on that computer. Please back up and delete files before you leave.
- Software
- Only staff will install software. If you require an application, web browser plug-in, font, utility, or other software for your use, please use our feedback form with your request. Your request will be reviewed by libraries staff.
- Only staff will install software. If you require an application, web browser plug-in, font, utility, or other software for your use, please use our feedback form with your request. Your request will be reviewed by libraries staff.
- Lost and Found
- Personal belongings left at an unused computer will be transferred to Lost & Found at the Information Desk, Allen Library North when the lab closes.
- If your belongings are not there, they may have been transferred to HUB Lost & Found.
Feedback
Please give us feedback about how the lab can best serve you. We want to know if you prefer different hours, different software, or anything else that you like, dislike, or would like changed about the lab. The feedback form will generate an email to library staff. It can be anonymous if you prefer.