Computer Literacy Requirements

In order for us to teach our courses at the graduate level, incoming students are expected to have certain computer skills. You can acquire these skills before you begin the program or by taking special free workshops that are offered by GSLIS and the LIS Library during the early part of the semester. When classes start, you will be expected to have three basic competencies:

1. Elementary computer literacy. This means that you can perform such tasks as run a program and organize and manipulate files on a personal computer, remote computer (such as a server), or removable media (such as a floppy disk or USB storage device). You are expected to know how to compose and print a research paper with appropriate figures and/or tables using a standard word processing program. If you own a computer, you should know how to set it up, install software, and connect it to a network (via dial-up, broadband, or wireless connection). You may gain these skills at a local community college, through self-tutoring, or elsewhere. You are encouraged but not required to have your own computer. Several computer firms offer educational discounts through the University MicroOrder Center.  The on-campus GSLIS lab is Macintosh-based, however Windows and Unix/Linux users are also supported in the School.
2. E-mail and bulletin board skills. You should know how to communicate using e-mail and electronic bulletin/message boards. This requires both a mastery of the technical issues of usage (how to read and reply to messages) and an understanding of proper etiquette.
3. Information retrieval skills. You need the ability to use the UIUC online catalog, the UIUC Online Research Resources database, and common bibliographic databases found in many libraries.  You should be familiar with finding information on the web using search engines and other common tools.

In addition, certain skills may be expected to be acquired during your time at GSLIS:

1. HTML/XML authoring. Workshops will teach basic HTML and XML syntax for creating documents and putting information on the Web.
2. Basic Linux (Unix). Servers running the Linux operating system can be accessed through the GSLIS local area network. These servers provide a wider range of software applications beyond those ordinarily available on the lab workstations. Programs running on the Linux servers can act on the files stored in student home directories. Some (not all) GSLIS classes will require you to use the Linux servers, and familiarity with Linux/Unix commands will be valuable whether or not you enroll in such a class.
3. Database creation. Students may be expected to design simple databases in several GSLIS courses.
4. Information literacy in LIS.  You will become familiar with key information sources within the discipline of LIS, including journal indexes, full-text databases, online repositories, and major websites.

Some individual courses, such as those in the digital libraries concentration, require additional technical competencies such as more advanced database design and programming languages. These skills can be learned through community college courses, informal short courses offered in GSLIS by staff and professional organizations and through self-study.

During your time at GSLIS, you will have access to many technology resources, including the GSLIS User Services Help Desk. We encourage you to share your feedback and questions with us and do hope you take advantage of the support we offer the GSLIS community. Please feel free to contact us with questions by emailing -help, at support.lis.uiuc.edu-.

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