About MSL Geographic Information

Geographers at the Montana State Library develop, collect, support, deliver, and promote Montana geographic information and data in Montana and beyond. The Geographic Information program inherits broad mandates from both the  Montana Geospatial Information Act (MLIA) and the  Natural Resource Information System statute(NRIS). The Program meets these mandates via  GIS Coordination activities and through two data discovery and access hubs: the  Montana Geographic Information Clearinghouse and the   Montana Natural Resource Information System.

Geographic Information program goals:

1.  Acquire and manage relevant quality geographic information that meets the needs of users
2. Provide our partners and patrons with convenient, high quality and cost effective access to geographic information
3. Provide appropriate trainings and training resources so that the best use can be made of the resources offered
4. Provide consultation, leadership and training for the development and use of geographic information and spatial technologies
5. Provide partnerships and encourage collaboration both within and beyond the spatial technology community
6. Ensure sustainable success through efficient and effective management of both geographic data and staff resources

The Montana State Library’s Geographic Information online resources have evolved through time. You can view the history of foundational online resources of this State Library program using these links:

• GIS Data Clearinghouse Web Archive
• Base Map Service Center Web Archive