Technology Competencies List

1. Know which port to use for each component and how to verify that accessible cables are properly connected.
2. Understand the start-up, the power-down and reboot procedures for the public computers.
3. Properly start up and log in to a computer that is currently powered down.
4. Determine if a computer and associated peripherals are plugged in and powered on.
5.  Follow the standard procedure for powering down a computer.
6. Understand the options for removable storage devices available to patrons.
7. Know which devices are supported by the public access computers.
8. Know how to save files from digital cameras onto external storage and how to upload files to the Internet cloud (e.g. Facebook, Flicker, video files, picture files, etc).
9. Show patrons how to save files to Internet storage service (e.g. Google docs, Flickr).
10. Resize pictures for various purposes, including uploading to the Internet or for storage on a device.
11. Find folders in My Computer or Windows Explorer.
12. Switching between the different views of files and folders in Windows Explorer.
13. Recognize common file name extensions and their associated application or applications types.
14. Exhibit familiarity with the various software applications that are available for patron use on the library’s public computers and know the common use of each.  This will include Microsoft Suite, Picasa, Windows Media Player, Adobe Reader, etc.
15. Assist patrons with basic formatting in word processing, spread sheets and presentation tools (e.g. Microsoft Office Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
16. Use the Help menu within an open application.
17. Be able to force the shutdown of applications using Task Manager.
18. Know what tutorials are available for patrons’ self-paced learning via the DCL website.
19. Know how to copy files to a removable storage device.
20. Demonstrate awareness of popular social networking sites and determine when and why to use these tools.  Examples could include Facebook, YouTube, Flickr.
21. Basic software troubleshooting and when to submit a work order to IT.
22. Place a work order in Track it!
23. Look up staff and patron reservations through PC Reservation.
24. Extend public computer sessions in PC Reservation.
25. End public computer sessions in PC Reservation.
26. Reserve a specific computer in PC Reservation.
27. In appropriate circumstances, send messages through PC Reservation.
28. Use the password to override a print job at the print release station.
29. Clear a paper jam from a printer.
30. Access the printer queue for a specific printer, and know how to manipulate print jobs in the queue: pause, resume and cancel print jobs.
31. Be able to print only the desired information from a Web site.
32. Know how to print the screen.
33. Use Page Set-up and Print Preview.
34. Print and save Web pages and/or portions of the content in the Web page, including images.
35. Describe pop-up blockers on the public access computers and how they prevent both harmful and desirable pop-ups and downloads from happening.
36. Be able to bypass pop-up blockers when necessary.
37. Download and save files from the Internet, including image, audio and video.
38. Help patrons attach, send, and save file attachments in Web-based e-mail.
39. List and use some popular search engines.
40. Conduct an image search on the Internet.
41. What to do when you receive an error message.
42. Know basic Internet safety rules, including recognition of potential scams and viruses and respond to patron inquiry.
43. Connect to the Wireless/Wi-Fi.
44. Access the Directory in the phone system.
45. Transfer a call using the new phone system.
46. Access Voicemail in the new phone system.              
47. Use Conference Call feature in the new phone system.