This list of recommended competencies is considered to be a tool that will evolve as the needs of staff in member libraries evolve. The TLN Steering Committee adopted these competencies as a standard for the cooperative on June 11, 2001.
TLN Continuing Education staff (also represented on the TLN Technology Committee) offers courses that include the skills discussed in this document.
The Technology Committee will evaluate this list for revision on a regular basis.
BASIC WORKSTATION START-UP
Compiled by Elizabeth Lindley and Renae Keeler, Oakland County Reference Library
General
Know where the PC and monitor power buttons are
Know what sequence equipment needs to be turned on in order to operate
Know the start-up commands your machines go through and the common errors, -- disk in drive, scan disk for improperly shut down windows, when to reboot if PC is hanging
Know where power cords are so connections can be checked if there is no response from the equipment
Be aware if equipment is plugged into surge protectors in case those get turned off
Know passwords and where to find them
Know file extensions
Basic Operating
Be familiar with how screens are supposed to look
Know how to toggle between screens and how to find out if application is already running behind something else.
Know where Print Manager of equivalent is and how to access and manipulate it
Know how to use keyboard to navigate in Windows if mouse fails to operate
Shut Down
Know how to shut down Windows properly
Know the sequence equipment needs to be shut down
Know what equipment needs to be shut down every night or jus on weekends, etc.
Know where power buttons are located
PRINTERS
Compiled by Jessica Schenk, Novi Public Library
General
Know how to turn the printer on
Know how to add paper
Know how to change the toner cartridge
Know how to clear a paper jam
Know how to check and clear the print queue (if applicable)
Other useful skills in dealing with more specialized problems
Ability to print white text (when dark background is on screen)
Ability to check the printer set-up for proper configuration
Ability to print specific pages (rather than the entire document)
Troubleshooting tips, or Questions to ask yourself before getting help
Printer won’t print/no lights visible
Is it plugged in?
Is it turned on?
Printer won’t print/power is on
Is there paper in the printer?
Is there a toner/ink cartridge in the printer?
Is there a paper jam?
Are there jobs stuck in the print queue?
Printer is printing very lightly
Is the toner cartridge almost empty?
COMPUTER SECURITY
Compiled by Andrew Mutch, Waterford Township Public Library
General
Know the version and type of security software that is used on your computers
Understand how the security software protects your computer
Be aware of the potential security problems that can arise in patron usage of library computers
Understand the various ways in which security can be compromised
Be knowledgeable of legitimate resources on computer security
Be able to differentiate between legitimate security threats and those that are not, like hoaxes
Computer Workstation
(This may not apply to all libraries)
Know how to enable and disable security software
Know the passwords to access the software and change settings
Know how to enable and disable the various restrictions
Know which restrictions protect which functions
Internet
Be aware of the potential security and privacy threats while using the Internet including:
Cookies
Downloading malicious or unauthorized files
Unsecured communication of private information
Viruses
E-mail
Be aware of potential security and privacy threats while using e-mail including:
Attachments
Chain letters
Hoaxes
Spam
Viruses
Be able to identify hoax messages and know how to verify virus claims
CROSSTALK, SMARTTERM AND QVT-TERM
Compiled by Donna Winter, Livonia Civic Center Library
General
Know how to open a session
Know how to bypass a script to start a session
Know how to reconnect an open session (with and without the mouse)
Know how to setup a new session (especially when dealing with Crosstalk 18-16 errors)
Know how to change/update scripts
Know how to print
Know how to change settings (e.g. if they are set to save to disk instead of print, background colors, etc.)
Know how to maximize a screen (without the mouse if mouse is put away)
Know how to quit/close a session
Know how to exit the program
WEB BROWSERS
Compiled by Tina Hatch, Milford Township Public Library
General
Know the differences between various Internet browsers and their different versions
Have a basic understanding of different terms (e.g. telnet, chat rooms, etc.)
Know how to open Telnet applications
Know how to open/close program
Be able to diagnose and correct printing problems
Know how to deal with frames when printing
Know how to use the menu and toolbar buttons
Be able to change options and preferences
Be able to add, use and edit bookmarks
Searching
Know how to open a URL
Know how to use a variety of search engines and subject directories
Be able to diagnose and correct a variety of error messages
E-MAIL
Compiled by Janet Cashin, Bacon Memorial Library (Wyandotte)
General
Know how to send/receive attachments
Know how to resend bounced messages
Know how to send mass e-mail
Recognize potential viruses
WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM
Compiled by Joy Cichewicz, Brighton District Library
General
Know how to toggle or use the task bar to move between multiple open applications
Know how to navigate in the folder/directory system
Know how to make a new folder, delete a folder
Understand the differences between files and folders
Know how to select multiple files/folders
Know how to copy and paste, drag/drop within files and whole files/folders
Understand what permissions are (what folders does everyone have access to)
Understand the file naming conventions/extensions
Know the right-click mouse options
Know how to navigate in the file structure to open/save/delete