Abstract: This paper introduces the general method to realize symbol making, import and export of symbol library, management of symbol, symbols stored in database and symbol application by the symbol library provided by ArcEngine which is GIS components of ESRI and studies its adoption in the map application to enable that it can match with other elements on the map. The method works well when applying in the Coal-bed gas surface gathering system of geographic information system. It has certain reference for GIS development using ArcEngine.

Key words: ArcGIS Engine, Symbol library, Coal-bed gas surface gathering, GIS