IM 644 Technologies for Libraries and School Media Centers Course Schedule Spring 1997 Revised 19 April 1997

Week	Topics, Readings, Assignments
1.	Introduction: who we are; course requirements, readings, expectations, group work Defining library technologies: "library automation" "multimedia library" "digital library" Tools: resources for this course; glossary
2.	Topic: Needs assessment: Why do we need a library information system? What should a library information system provide?
3.	Topic: Specifying expectations: the RFP Topic: The Basics, part I Online Public Access Catalog (local & union; storage medium; access; search and retrieval) Cataloging (mapping the MARC record to the interface) Readings: Minnesota Library Planning Task Force. (1996) Request for Proposal I: Components relating to an integrated library management system. ["System X" RFP; on Reserve]. Also available online, RFP Draft, from MnHESO. [176 K file] MnLINK brochure [promotional brochure for legislative consumption] The Minnesota Library Information Network: Toward the Virtual Library (1996) [This document presents the vision for that network; it describes some of its characteristics and suggests what the core architecture might be.]
4.	Topic: The Basics, part II Cataloging, continued (authority control) Circulation (inventory management & control) Readings: Minnesota Library Planning Task Force. (1996) Request for Proposal I: Components relating to an integrated library management system. ["System X" RFP; on Reserve]. Also available online, RFP Draft, from MnHESO. [176 K file]
5.	Topic: Beyond the Basics Z39.50 Readings: Z39.50 Explained The Z39.50 Information Retrieval Standard; Part I: A Strategic View of Its Past, Present and Future, by Clifford Lynch. Z39.50: The User's Perspective, by Sandra D. Payette and Oya Y. Rieger. The Z39.50 Maintenance Agency at the Library of Congress.
6.	Topic: Toward the Digital Library: Delivering Text and Image Electronically electronic periodicals (e.g., Project Muse and JSTOR.) electronic reference (e.g., Britannica Online) electronic books (e.g., Project Gutenberg)
7.	Guest: Phil Thorson, SCSU Network Engineer Topic: Technical environment: An alphabet soup of protocols and spec ifications LANs, WANs, Internets... Level 5 wire, 10BaseT, FDDI, ATM... ftp, smtp, telnet, http... Topic: Technical environment: Architecture hardware (workstations and their internal bus, peripherals, servers) selection (platforms and vendors) topologies (Ring, Star, Bus) management and maintenance
8.	Guest: Phil Thorson, SCSU Network Engineer Topic: Continue previous week discussion Topic: Technical environment: Getting physical: installing systems tour LRS Technical Support Services areas wiring a network connections and interconnections operating systems
9.	Topic: State, regional, and system politics Myths, fears, and realities status of the MnLink Gateway and "System X" legislation Topic: Social and organizational implications Farenheit 451: Loss of control, loss of individuality, loss of identity Are we doing the right thing? Readings: Statewide On-line Library Information System Planning [Laws of Minnesota for 1996, Chapter 395, section 2(b), p. 395-6]. RMG Consultants. (1997) Functional Requirements from the Request for Poposal for MnLink Gateway Systems and Services and Services for the State of Minnesota. ["MnLink Gateway" RFP; on Reserve] MnLINK brochure [promotional brochure for legislative consumption] Graphic representation of MnLINK. [While pretty illegible, does show the scope of the MnLINK project.]
10.	Float week (Continue discussion from week 9 or course summation.)