Distance Learning Library Services: Challenges and Opportunities for an Academic Library System

Abstract

This article evolved out of a presentation given at the 2002 Indiana Library Federation (ILF) Conference in Indianapolis, as my contribution to the panel discussion, “Distance Learning: Challenge or Opportunity,” sponsored by the ILF Continuing Education Committee. The presentations by the other librarians on that panel – from a public library, a high school, and a community college – certainly expanded my awareness of the various kinds of exciting endeavors that other types of Indiana libraries are engaged in that are made possible by distance technology. The kinds of distance education (DE) services offered by an academic library system reflect its need to provide seamless library service to students and faculty, regardless of their location, to meet the specific needs of teaching/learning and research. And among academic institutions, each views and organizes DE differently, according to its academic mission. The library’s services for DE students must be responsive to the mission of the institution.