The first section of this paper on library services for distance education discusses the status of distance learning in higher education. What distance learning means for libraries is addressed in the second section, including considerations related to diverse locations, agreements with participating institutions, delivery limitations, librarian commitment, and awareness of new ways to deliver services. The third section summarizes requirements for libraries and provides World Wide Web addresses for American Library Association and Canadian Library Association guidelines. The fourth section describes the challenges and impact of distance learning on library service units related to administration, collection management, acquisitions, cataloging, collection access (interlibrary loan, circulation, and reserve), reference and instruction, and technical support systems. (MES

Swaine, Cynthia Wright

English

Old Dominion University

Old Dominion UniversityODU Digital CommonsLibraries Faculty & Staff Publications University Libraries2000Challenges in Delivering Library Services forDistance LearningCynthia Wright SwaineOld Dominion UniversityFollow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/libraries_fac_pubsPart of the Library and Information Science Commons, and the Online and Distance EducationCommonsThis Report is brought to you for free and open access by the University Libraries at ODU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion inLibraries Faculty & Staff Publications by an authorized administrator of ODU Digital Commons. For more information, please contactdigitalcommons@odu.edu.Repository CitationSwaine, Cynthia Wright, "Challenges in Delivering Library Services for Distance Learning" (2000). Libraries Faculty & StaffPublications. 19.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/libraries_fac_pubs/19Original Publication CitationSwaine, C.W. (2000). Challenges in delivering library services for distance learning. Laurel, MD: Educational resources InformationCenter (ERIC). (ED 438 837)DOCUMENT RESUMEED 438 837 IR 057 664AUTHOR Swaine, Cynthia WrightTITLE Challenges in Delivering Library Services for DistanceLearning.PUB DATE 2000-01-00NOTE 7p.PUB TYPE Reports Descriptive (141)EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS *Academic Libraries; Access to Information; *DistanceEducation; Guidelines; Higher Education; InformationTechnology; Library Administration; Library Collections;*Library Role; *Library ServicesIDENTIFIERS American Library Association; Canadian Library Association;Web SitesABSTRACTThe first section of this paper on library services fordistance education discusses the status of distance learning in highereducation. What distance learning means for libraries is addressed in thesecond section, including considerations related tp diverse locations,agreements with participating institutions, delivery limitations, librariancommitment, and awareness of new ways to deliver services. The third sectionsummarizes requirements for libraries and provides World Wide Web addressesfor American Library Association and Canadian Library Association guidelines.The fourth section describes the challenges and impact of distance learningon library service units related to administration, collection management,acquisitions, cataloging, collection access (interlibrary loan, circulation,and reserve), reference and instruction, and technical support systems. (MES)Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be madefrom the original document.Challenges in Delivering Library Servicesfor Distance LearningBy Cynthia Wright SwainePERMISSION TO REPRODUCE ANDDISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HASBEEN GRANTED BYC.W.SwaineTO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)2U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and ImprovementEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATIONCENTER (ERIC)CD This document has been reproduced asreceived from the person or organizationoriginating it.Minor changes have been made toimprove reproduction quality.Points of view or opinions stated in thisdocument do not necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy.BEST COPYAVA ILABL EChallenges in Delivering Library Servicesfor Distance LearningStatus of distance learningDistance learning can be thought of as simply learning that takes place when the instructorand students are separated. In the past it often meant so-called correspondence courses.Today, it usually refers to teaching and learning at a distance, often using audio, video andcomputer technologies.Peterson's Web site [http://www.peterson's.com/dlearn/dlalpha.html] lists 885 institutionsproviding some form of distance education in the United States and Canada, as of January,2000. Hundreds of colleges and universities are offering "virtual degrees" (degreesconferred on students who have taken all their coursework online). One estimate is thatthree million students are taking online courses as of the year 2000.What distance learning means for librariesLibraries are faced with the challenge of providing services that are equivalent to theservices offered on campus. Some of the considerations are outlined here.Distance Learning means Diverse Locations. Distance learners may be enrolled atvarious types of sites--hospitals, military installations, ships at sea, businesses,community colleges--or may be taking courses from their own homes.Distance Learning means Dangerous Liaisons. Librarians must be aware of anyformal agreements made with participating institutions. If agreements are vague,expectations may lead to resentment and uncooperative attitudes.3Distance Learning means Delivery Limitations. Traditional interlibrary loanservices, commercial document delivery services and courier services may all need to beused to bring needed materials to students. For those students in other countries or thoseserving on ships at sea, even these methods may not be feasible in all cases. Creativealternatives must be considered.Distance Learning means Determined Librarians. It is essential that librarians becommitted to full service for distance learners. A committee made up of librarians fromeach service sector can work together in ensuring success.Distance Learning means Diligently Looking for new ways to deliver services, basedon constantly-evolving technologies, new program offerings, increasing enrollments, andstudent needs.What libraries must doComprehensive guidelines for distance learning library services are available from theAmerican Library Association [http://wvvw.ala.org/acrl/guides/distling.html] and theCanadian Library Association [draft at http://gateway2.uvic.ca/d1s/guidelines.html].Additionally, accrediting agencies establish criteria that must be met. In general, librariesmust write a mission statement, develop user-focused priorities, provide adequate learningresources and services and evaluate them on a regular basis.Accrediting agencies require adequate numbers of library staff, sufficient and well-organized collections (including electronic resources), services that include good access tomaterials and orientation/instruction.24Challenges and impact of distance learning on library service unitsEach department in the library faces its own special challenges in meeting the needs ofdistance learners.AdministrationAdministrators have the challenge of setting up an infrastructure that integrates distancelearning services within the library. They face the challenge of identifying, tracking andunderstanding cost factors, re-allocating funds, and using additional funding avenues-internal and external. They must also consider re-allocating staff resources and trainingstaff for new responsibilities. They must find ways of helping library staff understanddistance education issues and often must tackle the most difficult issues themselves.Collection managementCollection management librarians must help bibliographers see the need for selecting withdistance learning in mind, not just for on-campus needs. They often must try to find morefunds for purchases (especially electronic products) without increasing the materialsbudget. They need to develop expertise in handling licensing agreements and negotiatingelectronic purchases that include access from all distant sites.AcquisitionsAcquisitions librarians must consider the use of core collections and reserve collections atthe sites, in addition to electronic collections. They may have to develop new workflowprocedures, track more closely for materials ordered in multiples, and deal with anincreased load of rush orders. They must also work with staff at the distance learningsites in getting collections set up and returned.5CatalogingCatalogers are faced with decisions about providing additional bibliographic access toelectronic resources. They are faced with the need for adding many more location codes inthe catalog, depending on the number of distance learning sites. Also, they mustcommunicate with staff at the distance sites, encouraging them to return materials andreport lost items so that they may be withdrawn from the library catalog.Collection Access (interlibrary loan, circulation, reserve)Included in the challenges facing these librarians may be dealing with an dramaticallyincreased workload, training staff in new technologies- -such as electronic reservesprocedures, possibly creating a priority workflow for distance learning interlibrary loanrequests, investigating alternative document delivery methods, and understanding andapplying copyright law appropriately.Reference and InstructionChallenges will likely include working with the reference serials budget to re-allocate printand CD-ROM funding to Web-based resources. If many people staff the reference desk, itmay be a challenge to help everyone understand all the aspects of distance learning and ofdistance learners' needs, as well as to ensure that the staff convey information clearly,especially in regard to online access to resources.Finding new ways for orienting and instructing distance learners is another challengingarea. Librarians must consider developing a variety of new ways to deliver instruction, suchas designing interactive Web-based tools, teaching on television, creating videos, and usingvideoconferencing software. These new methods can require a large investment of time,both in training and development.6r cSystemsSystems librarians may be challenged with identifying the equipment and the capabilitiesavailable at many different sites, then finding a common technological denominator. Thisbecomes even more problematic as courses are delivered to sites which lack technicalsupport and as courses are delivered directly into the homes of students. Creating access to[P-restricted sources and searching for improved solutions for authenticating users withoutsacrificing security are ongoing challenges.> SummaryAs more and more institutions offer distance learning opportunities, the challenges to _libraries to meet the needs of those programs will increase. Each department in the libraryfaces its own special challenges, even though some service units will feel a greater impactthan others. Following guidelines and meeting accreditation standards are imperative.These challenges often can be handled effectively through the formation of a committeethat examines issues and seeks innovative solutions.Cynthia Wright Swaine, Distance Education Coordinator, Perry Library, Old DominionUniversity, January 20005U.S. Department of EducationOffice of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI)National Library of Education (NLE)Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC)REPRODUCTION RELEASE(Specific Document)I. DOCUMENT IDENTIFICATION:11. cgTitle: C h&lle 65es i r Del; Ve rivj tibrart serv;ce5r Sfa_oce LeztrniAuthor(s): Cynthia., r g Wra;Corporate Source:Old Dontinioo Unittees;17) Perry L;i3ra_r_yII. 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Challenges in Delivering Library Services for Distance Learning

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Challenges in Delivering Library Services for Distance Learning

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