Required Technology Competencies

The Graduate School of Library and Information Studies (GSLIS) at the University of Rhode Island expects that incoming students possess a basic knowledge of information technologies. If you do not possess the following competencies, you may acquire them before the first semester of enrollment by any of the several means including:

1. by participating in relevant courses elsewhere (e.g., CCRI or another local technical college).
2. by using web-based instructional programs. A few to try:

   net.Tutor at Ohio State University:
   http://gateway.lib.ohio-state.edu/tutor/
   Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Wallace Library: http://wally.rit.edu/

1. Computer system software: You should have a basic familiarity with relevant operating systems or a graphical user interface environment, (e.g., Windows or Mac OS), including the ability to install programs, install peripherals and associated software, and operate programs. You should be familiar with basic terminology such as directory, folder, file, extension, etc.

2. Word processing: You should be able to create, edit, save, print and manipulate document files with at least one common commercial word processing program such as Microsoft Word or WordPerfect.

3. Spreadsheets: You should be able to set up, edit, save, sort, print and manipulate data and use basic functions such as sum, average, median and mode with at least one commercial spreadsheet such as Excel or Lotus. Basic skills using a spreadsheet program are prerequisite for taking LSC 502.

4. Databases: You should be able to set up, edit, save, sort, search for, print and manipulate data using at least one commercial data base program such as ACCESS or FileMaker Pro. Basic skills using a data base program are prerequisite for taking LSC 508.

5. Data Communication and Networking: You should either have your own established account with an Internet service provider or have registered for a URI Network ID and Password to access the Internet by the first week of class. You should be able to send, receive, forward, attach, and print e-mail messages. You should have a working knowledge of an Internet browser such as, setting up preferences, making bookmarks, using URLs and links, and performing basic searching. You should have a working knowledge of listservs including joining, participating, and quitting a listserv.

6. Information Retrieval: You should be able to use an online library catalog and to search and retrieve information on the Internet at a basic level. During the first semester, you will be required to develop competencies to search bibliographic databases commonly found in a library (e.g., Academic Index, FirstSearch, InfoTrac, etc.).

7. Basic Troubleshooting: You should be able to perform basic troubleshooting by using online help and appropriate instructions in standard manuals.

The Graduate School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Rhode Island provides students with a Information Technology and Instruction Lab for GSLIS students to use. It is strongly recommended that students own their own computers. The Ram Computer store, located at the Memorial Union provides academic discounts for computers and software; Tel: 401-874-2679 or Email: ramcomp@uri.edu or web site: http://www.uri.edu/ramcomputers/