----------------------------Original message---------------------------- Poh Chan's questions are important not only for the library school student but also for those of us in the profession who need to have a more profound understanding of GIS and spatial information. There is a Certificate of GIS being offered in many institutions around the country. They are based of curricula devised by the NCGIA I believe. Here at UConn it is a 4 course program. Debbie; I have to agree, the incentive to take the program would be purely self defense. I would be lucky to get release time, much less tuition support. On the other hand, there is only so much one can pick up on thier own, a formal course of study might put a lot of things into perspective right now. ---------------------- PATRICK MCGLAMERY MAP LIBRARIAN U-5M HOMER BABBIDGE LIBRARY UNIV. OF CONNECTICUT STORRS, CT 06268 (203) 486-4589 LIBMAP1@UCONNVM