home>programs>

You will be redirected to http://sirls.arizona.edu/program/digIn in 5 seconds. Please update your bookmarks and links.

Graduate Certificate in Digital Information Management (DigIn)

The University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science and The University of Arizona Office of Continuing Education jointly administer the graduate certificate program in Digital Information Management (DigIn). DigIn provides hands-on experience and focused instruction for people seeking new careers in or improving their skills and knowledge of digital archives, digital libraries, digital document repositories and other kinds of digital collections.

The explosion of digital information and the growth of online digital resources has led to a shortage of individuals with an understanding of the disciplines of libraries, document management and archives who also have the technical knowledge and skills needed to create, manage and support digital information collections. The six-course 18-credit hour graduate program will provide both new students and working professionals with a balanced mix of content that includes practical applied technology skills along with a foundation in the theory and practice of building and maintaining today’s digital collections. Certificate holders will be well positioned for careers in libraries, archives, local, state and federal government and the private sector.

All coursework is online and may be completed in 15-27 months. Studies begin each summer with the course Introduction to Applied Technology. Students may then take either one or two courses each fall and spring, with a capstone course concluding the program each summer. The certificate program has been developed in cooperation with The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. Major funding for program development comes from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which has also provided funding for a limited number of scholarships.

• See below for course descriptions

Application to the program and enrollment are administered by the University of Arizona Office of Continuing Education and Academic Outreach. The application deadline for summer admission and scholarship applications is April 1.

• Admissions, enrollment and additional program information

Computer Access and Technology Requirements

Technology requirements for the DigIn certificate program are higher than those for the SIRLS Masters program due to the hands-on nature of the program and delivery. Read the following carefully to make sure you are prepared to begin the DigIn program.

Prerequisites

There are no formal prerequisites for the certificate program, however you should be familiar with the World Wide Web, basic technology and personal computers. Students are expected to have experience in at least one of the four professions: libraries, archives, records management, or information technology. The first course is a hands-on course in applied technology. You will download and install programs and updates, configure hardware and software, create Web pages and learn how to manage software environments that may be unfamiliar to you. You should be reasonably proficient at finding resources on the Web and performing routine tasks using word processors and spreadsheets. You should feel comfortable with your current desktop operating system (e.g. Windows, Linux or Mac OS) and know how to create and organize files and folders, install and configure peripherals such as printers and other hardware devices, and do basic troubleshooting when problems occur.

Hardware - Primary Personal Computer

Certificate students need to be able to download large files and applications and install software that has minimum requirements for operating system, memory, and available disk space. The student's primary working computer should meet the following minimum specifications:

• Windows (Win2000, XP or Vista) or Intel-based Mac (OS-X Tiger or higher) operating system (older versions will not work)
• 1 GB memory (more is strongly recommended)
• 15-20 GB free space on the hard drive, or a second internal or external hard drive, to install files and applications
• Current version of either Internet Explorer or Firefox web browser
• Broadband Internet connectivity, minimum DSL speed, 1mbit or greater download transfer speed recommended
• Cable or DSL modem (usually provided by the ISP) plus a home router to manage multiple computer connections (ethernet plus 802.11b, g, or n for wireless connectivity)

Hardware - Demo/Practice Computer

Certificate students will also be required to acquire an inexpensive computer for practice installation of operating systems and application software. Recommended specifications are:

• Intel Pentium 4 or equivalent AMD processor
• 256MB memory (128MB minimum)
• Minimum 20 GB hard drive
• Ethernet 10/100 network card (wireless network interfaces discouraged)
• CD-RW drive

Used computers meeting this specification can normally be acquired for $100-$200 or in many cases, less. Consult with the course instructor before making any purchases.

Course Descriptions

IRLS 671 – Introduction to Digital Collections
Introduces students to basic concepts of collection management in the information professions—especially libraries, museums, archives, and records management—and the impact technology is having on these institutions. Topics include information organization, resource description, and user services in the digital environment, systems design and policy issues involved in building digital repositories, and access issues related to privacy concerns and copyright law. As a prerequisite course, IRLS 671 provides the background students will need in later DigIn courses that focus on advanced concepts for managing digital information.

IRLS 672 – Introduction to Applied Technology
Provides students with a foundation in the practical use of core technologies applicable to library, museum, archival and records domains. The approach is hands-on and focuses on basic concepts of operating systems, web servers, databases and scripting. Theoretical content includes introductions to technology planning and acquisition, project management, and networking fundamentals as applied within the library and information science disciplines. As an extended, hands-on exercise, students will learn to install, configure and manage a Linux LAMP server in preparation for developing an online ePortfolio that will demonstrate students’ skills in creating and managing a digital collection.

IRLS 673 – Managing the Digital Information Environment
Introduces students to theoretical and practical approaches to managing technology. Topics include developing strategic plans, project management, the acquisition and deployment of systems, hardware and software lifecycles, information ethics, policy development, and leading and managing in the digital environment.

IRLS 674 – Preservation of Digital Collections
Provides an in-depth look at the fundamental problems involved in long-term digital preservation, and the full range of potential solutions. Topics range from the immediate risk of content loss due to human error or systems failure, the ongoing threat of technology obsolescence, the role of standards and best practices in mitigating risks, and the strategic approaches that are being developed by preservationists in seeking to ensure the permanence and authenticity of digital information in a rapidly evolving technology environment.

IRLS 675 – Advanced Digital Collections
Builds on previous DigIn coursework by giving students hands-on experience in constructing a prototype digital repository and access system for an assigned library collection. The course aims to give students and advanced introduction to systems design as well as management issues currently facing practitioners in the digital environment. By the end of this course, students should have the knowledge and learning skills needed to begin practical work on a wide range of digital projects and varied types of collections. They will also have developed an ePortfolio that will demonstrate their understanding and skills in managing digital collections.

IRLS 676 – Digital Information Management Capstone
This internship course gives students practical field experience while building upon the knowledge gained through previous coursework. Students will work in an institutional setting and be directly supervised by a practitioner in completing a project designed to prepare them for employment in some aspect of digital information management.