Supporting Distance Learning in Your Library

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Supporting distance learning in your library | Distance learning opportunities for library staff | Contact

Academic and Public Libraries are now finding they have a growing clientele to serve: distance learning students. Although most academic institutions offering distance learning courses will have online resources available for their distance learning students, distance learners sometimes prefer to visit their local libraries to consult print resources, use computer resources and get help from an librarian in person.

In addition to helping distance learners locate information and resources, librarians with a basic understanding of distance learning will be better able to understand distance learning client requests for help. This page is meant to serve as a guide for supporting distance learners in your library.

Web Resources on supporting distance learning in libraries

• Association of College and Research Libraries Distance Learning Section, includes in-depth presentation of the ACRL Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services -- considered to be the authoritative document on distance learning library services for post secondary institutions
• Distance Education Clearinghouse Library Support Links
• Library Services for Distance Learning, the Fourth Bibliography, In-depth bibliography, consistently updated, don't miss the section on public libraries and distance learning services
• Resources for Distance Learning Library Services, Old Dominion University

Library Web sites supporting distance learning

One method of supporting distance learners is to provide a centralized Web page with information about services available to them through your library. These links take you to popular examples of such pages.

• Delphi Public Library: Distance Education Services
• Old Dominion University: Distance Learning Services
• Texas A&M Libraries: Distance Education Services
• University of Kentucky Libraries: Distance Learning Library Services
• The University of Texas Telecampus Digital Library

Journals and Organizations supporting distance learning in libraries

• Association of College and Research Libraries' Distance Learning Section
• Journal of Library Services for Distance Education
• Library and Information Technology Association: Distance Learning Interest Group
• Reference and User Services Association Virtual Reference Discussion Group
• Texas Library Association: Distributed / E-learning Interest Group (DELIG)

Distance Learning Associations and Conferences

• American Distance Education Consortium
• The Center for Distance Learning Research
• Texas Distance Learning Association
• United States Distance Learning Association

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