Computers in Library Applications

[Niantic@AOL.COM]

Dear LM_NETers:

I've been asked to teach a course titled "Computers in Library Applications."
 It is part of a paraprofessional Library Technical Assistant certificate
program at our local community college.   The course description is very
general, and I have an opportunity to develop the content and objectives.

I also envision alot of field trips/site visits to different types of
libraries to see how our elementary and high school media centers might use
computer technology with different emphases than the corporate libraries,
public libraries, and college libraries.  I think there would be alot of
opportunities for us to compare and contrast.

My questions:

1)  If you had paraprofessionals (or clerks) about to take such a course,
what types of practical knowledge would you want them to walk away knowing or
being able to do?  Type with a word processor? design a flyer, or bookmark?
 Be able to work with Dos and Mac platforms? Be able to talk to vendors over
the phone to troubleshoot a problem?

2)   I have been reviewing texts without success.  I think William Saffady's
Introduction to automation for librarians, 3rd edition, ALA, is up to date,
but not an easy read.  I liked Walt Crawford's Current technologies in the
library: an informal overview, GK HALL,  and found it to be extremely
readable, but the text is dated to 1988.  Alot has happened in 6 years.  I
haven't been able to find out from GK Hall, if that book has been updated.
 (So far, they have sent me in circles with different 800 numbers to call.)

Does anyone have any suggestions? Or should I write my own text?
Please forward any suggestions directly to me. Thanks in advance.

Joan C. Schneider                                email:  Niantic@aol.com
Information Specialist
Niantic Center School,  7 West Main Street, Niantic, CT 06357