Academic Library Services to Distance Learners: In Consideration of Costs, Technology, and Stability

Abstract

Over the years, news, education, and library literature has shown a strong increase in the implementation of distance education programs in colleges and universities. The improvement of web technologies has allowed higher education institutions to expand their student base through distance education. The challenge for academic libraries will be to create working models of library support for these students that are both economically sustainable and qualitatively equitable to the support given to on-campus students. While focusing on the costs and recent trends in this kind of library service, this article traces the design, implementation, and sustainability of providing support to distance learners at colleges and universities in the United States and addresses several considerations regarding training, technology, and finances.

Going the full distance: Strategic support for digital libraries in distance education at the University of Education, Winneba in Ghana

“…This finding is also confirmed in the literature of distance learning library services. Diaz (2012) emphasises the need for additional specialised training for distance learning librarians, given the demands of the changing information landscape. He suggests the re-training of distance learning librarians especially in technology and outreach skills to be able to meet the sophisticated information demands of distance education.…”

Lessons Learned: Online Teaching Adventures and Misadventures

“…Universities need to provide financial support to purchase and maintain the necessary technological infrastructure and must acquire and marshal human resources to offer online courses. For example, libraries need additional funding to provide more digitized materials to online students so their educatinal attainment will be on par with tradional students (Diaz, 2012). If the online courses and programs are not properly marketed, managed, developed and taught, online efforts could become a financial drain and a public embarrassment.…”