THE DLIS TOP TEN

MUST DO LIST

The following list is based upon student and alumni opinions of the most important things to do when starting the DLIS program.

1. Get your University of Pittsburgh photo ID!!!

http://www.pitt.edu/~idcenter/index.html

Your Pitt ID truly is your passport. It is your library card, your bus pass, your discount card to art galleries, theatres, the Pittsburgh Symphony and some restaurants

2. Go to the library and buy a VendaCard. The card itself is 50¢ plus the amount you want the card to be worth. Copies without the card are 10¢ and 7¢ with the card. The card is good at the Information Sciences Library and Hillman Library and can be purchased at these libraries.

3. Add your name to the MLIS Listserv.

http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~lsdept/mlismailfaq.html

The listserv is a great source of job postings, internships and volunteer opportunities, upcoming lectures and conferences, deadline reminders, student activities and miscellaneous items of MLIS student interest.

4. Familiarize yourself with your Pitt e-mail account.

http://www.technology.pitt.edu/documentation/index.html

This is your . . . @pitt.edu account. If it is inconvenient for you to check your Pitt account, have your Pitt e-mail automatically forwarded to the account you regularly use. Make sure the connection works. This is very important. Crucial class information as well as listserv information comes to students through their Pitt accounts.

5. Connect your home computer to Pitt's Server. http://www.technology.pitt.edu/documentation/index.html

This will give you access to PITTCat and online journals. If you have problems establishing this connection, contact the 24-hour Help Desk (412) 624-HELP (4357).

6. Explore the three most important websites:

http://www.sis.pitt.edu/~lsdept/ Department of Library and Information Science

http://www.technology.pitt.edu/ Information Technology

http://www.pitt.edu/ University of Pittsburgh

You will find everything a student needs to know!

7. Talk with fellow students who have been in the program for a semester or so to get points of view about classes, conferences, student organizations, life in general. Don't be shy! We are delighted to help!

8. Take free tutorials.

Stop by the bulletin board outside of the Information Sciences Library and sign up for classes to learn about PITTCat, database searching, finding full-text information online and much more.

Register for Computing Services and Systems Development (CCSD) classes and learn about Adobe Photoshop, Web Development and Microsoft Office 2000. These classes are free but registration is required for these classes. Learn more about these classes at:

http://www.technology.pitt.edu/training/index.html

9. Know your libraries. Experience the fantastic system of libraries that the University of Pittsburgh (http://www.library.pitt.edu/about/) and the city of Pittsburgh (http://www.clpgh.org/clp/Libraries/pgh.html) have to offer.

10. Visit Bibliofile the student newsletter (http://www2.sis.pitt.edu/~biblio/). Keep up with departmental news. Check the librarian want ads. See the Library website of the month. Read student articles. Offer suggestions. Or, better yet, contribute your own articles and editorials. Contact us at biblio@mail.sis.pitt.edu.