Technology Skills

I had little experience in this area prior to my study at the iSchool. However, I do have the advantage of growing up with computers and being a quick learner when it comes to new technologies. Coming in to the program I was proficient in basic computer skills such as word processing, email, web searching, and browsing. In fact, my husband, who has a degree in computer engineering, calls me a “power user” and consults me for help with user-end processes. I have always had a knack for using technology, but I now have new knowledge about what it takes to create those technologies.

In the class titled Information Systems, Architectures and Retrieval, LIS 540, I learned about how search engines and databases are implemented and maintained, and I had the opportunity to design my own with a group of colleagues. This was a tremendous challenge for me and stretched my thinking in knowing what it takes to design a system with the user in mind.

In addition to the required core class, I elected to take LIS 541, Internet Technologies and Applications, because I was interested in learning about web technologies. In this class I gained new knowledge about networking, transfer protocol, routing, email, chat, and basic web design. The most beneficial part of the class was gaining some knowledge of how to use HTML and other basic web creation, development, and management tools. It was the final project in this class which required me to create my first website, a wonderful practice exercise before completing this portfolio!

I am excited to learn to use new technologies to share information on the web outside of my curricular requirements as well. I created a blog to keep track of the children’s books I read so that I can look back at them when planning storytimes or performing reader’s advisory. I hope to improve the blog as I further my knowledge of children’s literature so I can advertise the site to patrons. I also tried my hand at creating a wiki as an example of how beneficial it can be to create a collaborative space for public librarians and teacher librarians to work together on a project. The space was created for Children’s Book Week 2006, and I hope to use the tool for similar events in the future.