Credits: 3

Prerequisite(s): INF 6050 or INF 6080 (or equivalent with permission of instructor)

Rationale for inclusion in curriculum

The premise of this course is that librarians are increasingly being looked upon to occupy systems administrative positions. The positions include running file servers and local area networks (LAN) as well as managing information being placed on the Internet. This course includes sections on functions of basic operating systems, theory of operating systems, file systems, security, and configuring and monitoring software in multi-user computing environments. This course also focuses on the roles of the system administrator in libraries. Knowledge of HTML and text editors is desirable, but not essential. This course will be of interest to those students considering positions as systems administrators in libraries.  

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be able to:

• Prepare and manage files for user access via the internet
• Set up a demonstration World Wide Web server
• Identify social, policy and procedural issues associated with the activity of system administration and libraries  
• Identify professional challenges and opportunities they present 
• Demonstrate awareness of course concepts and techniques  

Content

• Unix Servers / Windows Servers  
• Client-server systems in multi-user environments  
• System administration functions  
• User-level functions  
• Creation and editing documents  
• Setting up portions of file systems  
• Assignment of user privileges  
• Set up working demonstration web servers to provide library and archival information  

Course methodology

• Class discussions 
• Critical appraisal of resources available
• Demonstrations 
• Examination of relevant professional, ethical and social issues connected with the activities of the systems administrator  
• Hands-on experience in the use and construction of various information retrieval and presentation tools  
• Lectures 
• Operation of applied software packages 
• Readings 

Bases for evaluation of student performance

• Assignments for software applications 
• Completion of tests and assignments 
• Implementing a correctly functioning web server, which will provide access to library and archival information 
• Participation in class participation 

Text

To be determined

Approved: 1/12

Updated: 12/23