Services in YRL
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Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Resource Center
The YRL GIS Resource Center is located on the first floor of the Young Research Library in the Reference Reading Room. It contains four PCs with 21" monitors, ArcGIS 8.0 software, standard office applications, and access to the networked GIS file server, which contains file storage space for users plus a large selection of common geographic and socioeconomic data for use in ArcGIS. Additional GIS data files are available on CD-ROM or via the Internet. The GIS Resource Center also has a large-format color inkjet printer and a selection of GIS manuals, guides, and tutorial software.
Registration
The YRL GIS Resource Center is open to all UC faculty, students, and staff. Before using the full services of the GIS Resource Center you must obtain a GIS account, which will provide you with 100 MB of storage space on the file server. To obtain an account, sign up at the YRL Reference Desk. You must present your UCLA BruinCard or library card and provide an e-mail address; you will be notified of your account name and password by e-mail. GIS accounts remain active until the beginning of fall quarter, at which time they must be renewed; all files in the account will be deleted if the account is not renewed.
Staff Assistance
YRL Reference provides the following types of staff assistance to GIS users:
- Introductory demonstrations of ArcGIS are offered on occasion for faculty and graduate students via the YRL Seminar Program. These sessions demonstrate the general functionality of ArcView and some of the possible ways in which GIS can be used. Instructors may schedule additional sessions of this demonstration for their graduate or undergraduate classes; contact David Deckelbaum .
- Small group introduction sessions are available by appointment. These sessions review the technical setting of the GIS computers (drives, network access, file structures, printing) and use of the Wessex census products. To schedule a session, ask for one of the GIS staff at the Reference Desk.
- Technical support is available on weekdays between 11 and 5; ask at the Reference Desk. Technical support staff will attempt to fix software and hardware problems, diagnose the cause of error messages, assist with compressing, downloading and managing files, and resolve general computer problems that are not specific to GIS.
- GIS consultation assistance is available by appointment. Ask for one of the GIS staff at the Reference Desk. GIS staff can provide advice on whether or not GIS is a suitable tool for solving your research problem, assist in identifying data sources, and provide limited software assistance after you have consulted the appropriate guides and online help. YRL staff do not provide instruction in the use of ArcGIS. For questions on the basic use of ArcView, staff will refer users to the tutorials available in the Resource Center or UCLA Academic Technology Services or courses in the UCLA Geography Department.
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