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This chapter section includes monographs and compilations that focus on library services for distance learning. Arrangement is by type of material rather than by topic.
2009
Courtney, Nancy. Academic Library Outreach: Beyond the Campus Walls. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2009. 276 pp. ISBN 1591587255.
The author notes that historically academic librarians are often concerned with reaching out to their campus communities, faculty members and students. Courtney suggests that many libraries are now interested in an emphasis of outreach beyond their campuses. This book suggests many different approaches to this renewed interest, including reaching out to K-12 students and school libraries through collaboration, collaborating with public libraries, and showing those in the community that academic libraries have special collections and other digital initiatives that can be useful. Other suggestions include hosting citywide book events and reaching out to affiliate areas such as medical centers or law schools. R. McWilliams
O’Neil, Carol A., Cheryl A. Fisher, and Susan K. Newbold. Developing online learning environments in nursing education. 2nd ed. New York: Springer. 2009.
The differences between the first edition of this book and the second are striking for the start-up online program designer. As it says on the front of the book, it will take “educators through the necessary steps to transform a traditional course into an online or a partially online course.” The authors focus on traditional online and traditional partially-online courses. Mentioned briefly are student centered learning and constructivism underpinnings. Added chapters expand outreach and training possibilities for patients and the public in general. Also, in this second edition, they mention libraries in two pages dedicated to the ACRL DLS guidelines. Everything in the courses described are packaged and teacher-directed. Patrons’ needs for mid-level IT skills and the roles librarians and libraries could play are explored briefly. M. Horan
2008
Griffiths, Jillian R. and Jenny Craven. Access, Delivery, Performance: The Future of Libraries Without Walls. London: Facet Publishing, 2008. 256 pp. ISBN 1856046478.
This book celebrates Professor Peter Brophy, who has worked in the library and information studies field for more than 37 years. The book’s chapters focus on four themes that the authors contend were very important to Peter during his career: libraries, learning, distance learning, widening access to information, the changing directions of information delivery, performance, quality, and leadership. The book concludes with a bibliography of Mr. Brophy’s work. R. McWilliams
Earnshaw, Rae E. and John A. Vince, eds. Digital Convergence – Libraries of the Future. London: Springer-Verlag, 2008. 448 pp. ISBN 1846289025.
The convergence of multimedia, information technology, and online communication is impacting information collection, storage, & retrieval and resulting in cost savings and higher quality, more accurate content. It is also providing a faster means of transmitting and accessing information globally as a result of better devices and flexible user interfaces. Topics covered in this book include: organization, delivery, collaboration and sharing of digital information; implications of the digital convergence on librarianship; restructuring, integration, and preservation of content in the digital format; cultural and strategic implications of digital convergence for libraries; and human-computer interfaces. S. Rao
Buchanan, George, Masood Masoodian and Sally Jo Cunningham, eds. Digital Libraries: Universal and Ubiquitous Access to Information: 11th International Conference on Asian Digital Libraries, ICADL 2008, Bali, Indonesia, December 2-5, 2008, Proceedings. Bali, Indonesia: International Conference on Asian Digital Libraries, 2008. Reprinted as Digital Libraries: Universal and Ubiquitous Access to Information. New York : Springer, 2008. 422 pp. ISBN 3540895329.
This book contains some fifty peer-reviewed papers (full and short) and complete abstracts of thirteen poster sessions from the 11th International Conference on Asian Digital Libraries (ICADL), held in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2008. The sixty-three chapters discuss a broad array of issues related to digital libraries, including: multimedia and metadata usage; usability studies; storage and information retrieval; ontologies; social tagging; multi- and cross-language information retrieval; archives and preservation; user experiences with digital libraries; Web 2.0 applications; collection building; and scholarly communications. S. Rao
Gurram, Sujata. “Digital Library Initiatives in India: A Proposal for Open Distance Learning.” Paper presented at The 29th International Association of Technological University Libraries (IATUL) Conference, April 21-24, 2008, Auckland, New Zealand. Online. Available: http://www.iatul.org/conferences/pastconferences/2008proceedings.asp
The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in India has established the Digital Library of India. Most of the digital library and digitization initiatives and programs in India are by and large funded by the government. This paper discusses the history of Open Distance Learning (ODL) institutions in India, highlighting the role of the Distance Education Council (DEC) as the central coordinating body. It examines the problems and challenges facing the design and development of digital libraries in India and seeks to propose solutions for improvement. S. Rao
Farace, Dominic J., Jerry Frantzen, and Joachim Schopfel. “Grey Literature: A Pilot Course constructed and implemented via Distance Education.” The Grey Journal 4, no. 1 (2008): 41-45.
The authors describe the background, development, and results of a for-credit, pilot distance learning course in grey literature, offered through the University of New Orleans (UNO). Pursuant to presentations and discussions held during meetings of the International Conference on Grey Literature, the authors first established that no for-credit course dedicated primarily to grey literature was extant. They then detailed their construction of an eight-item, bilingual survey for instructors and students (former and current) regarding the coverage of the topic of grey literature in their library and information science courses. This was followed by development of a pilot course, provided via Blackboard software, with the support of EBSCO Publishing, GrayNet, and the UNO Provost. Nine students completed this course during the Fall 2007 semester, with student evaluations and course assessment pending at the time of publication. C. Kristof
Hybrid Learning and Education: First International Conference, Proceedings: Hong Kong, China, August 13-15, 2008, edited by Joseph Fong, Reggie Kwan, and Fu Lee Wang. Berlin, Germany: Springer, 2008.
The proceedings of the first International Conference on Hybrid Learning contain the detailed full text of the papers presented. Topics include advantages and challenges of hybrid (blended) learning, user interface design, learning theory, curriculum design, and assessment. These proceedings include descriptions of theoretical research, educational techniques, case studies, and student surveys, in a wide range of subjects including English as a foreign language, general science, medicine, and computer programming. The topics of adult learning and hybrid learning for the visually impaired are also discussed. This conference is international in scope, with its presenters primarily from China, but also from a variety of countries including Japan, Korea, Nigeria, Germany, Canada, Mexico, the United States, and the United Kingdom. This volume’s audience includes instructors and librarians with an interest in learning theory as well as practical classroom techniques and experiences. C. Kristof
Evans, Terry, Margaret Haughey, and David Murphy, eds. International Handbook of Distance Education. New York: Emerald Group, Limited, 2008. 883 pp. ISBN 978-0-08-044717-9.
This handbook is a combined effort written by academics and professionals from Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Korea, the West Indies, Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Hong Kong, Tasmania, New Zealand, and Germany. The book is divided into six sections: (1) Diversity in Distance Education, (2) The Transformation of Teaching and Learning at a Distance, (3) Leadership in Distance Education, (4) Accountability and Evaluation in Distance Education, (5) Policy, and (6) Business of Distance Education. There are observations, tools, theories, and recommended resources to assist with establishing or assessing a distance program. An introduction by the editors and an index are included. L. Williams
Macauley, Peter and Rosemary Green. “The Transformation of Information and Library Services.” In International Handbook of Distance Education, edited by Terry Evans, Margaret Haughey, and David Murphy. New York: Emerald Group, Limited, 2008, 367-383.
The authors of this chapter in the handbook discuss the transformation of library collections, library services, and library instruction being delivered to students both on and off campus. They point out that due to the growth of distance education programs, library services and collections are now available through electronic access no matter where a user is located. Users can access full-text articles, databases, online tutorials, and electronic document delivery resources without entering a library. The authors contend that since users may have difficulty understanding the difference between library resources and those freely available through the web, there is an increased need for information literacy. Information literacy instruction, they note, has moved out of the traditional classroom setting and is now available through electronic tutorials, virtual reference and email. This chapter discusses the changes libraries are making to enable distance learners access to the same resources and services as traditional library users. L. Williams
Peters, Tom. “Librarianship in Virtual Worlds.” Library Technology Reports 44, no. 7 (October 2008): 5-32.
This report discusses the tools and issues involved in incorporating a library into a virtual world. Chapters include: (1) Introduction; (2) Terminology, Contexts, and Distinctions; (3) Ten Necessary and Sufficient Conditions; (4) Issues to Consider; and (5) Conclusion. The author gives a background of virtual worlds and how libraries have developed into three worlds (“real world, online, and virtual world”). Before a library can enter a virtual world, conditions that should be reviewed include hardware and software, user interfaces, and demographics of the virtual world. There are also issues and key questions listed in the report that libraries should consider before creating a virtual presence. L. Williams
Needham, Gill and Mohamed Ally, editors. M-libraries: Libraries on the Move to Provide Virtual Access. London: Facet Publishing, 2008. 192 pp. ISBN 1856046486.
This book contains contributions from 46 librarians, professors, and other researchers and is based on the first International M-Libraries Conference, which was held at the Open University in the United Kingdom in 2007. M-libraries (aka “mobile libraries”) are defined in the book as “libraries that deliver information and learning materials on mobile devices such as cell phones, PDAs, palm top computers, and smart phones” (p. liii). The book is divided into four parts. The first part discusses the societal & educational contexts in which mobile technologies are being introduced and used. The second section explores some of the ways in which online information (including library applications that provide access to resources and services) is being formatted so that it is accessible from mobile devices. The third part gives examples of libraries’ uses of mobile technologies and discusses some of the challenges involved in their implementations of mobile technology. The final section gives suggestions for librarians interested in implementing mobile technologies. C. Thomes
Lindell, Ann. Library Support for Study Abroad. Washington, DC: Association of Research Libraries, 2008. 128 pp. ISBN 1594078084.
This document, ARL Spec Kit 309, reports the results of a 2008 survey that assessed library support for faculty and students in different types of study abroad programs sponsored by their respective home institutions. The survey was distributed to the 123 ARL member libraries, 53 of which completed the survey by its deadline. Forty-four of the responding libraries reported that their institution sponsors study abroad programs, and at least 26 provide library support for their program. Respondents described the types of study abroad programs offered by their home institutions, how library support for the programs is administered and funded, what resources and services are available to study abroad participants (including whether access is provided to online or to physical collections), and challenges faced in providing support for the programs. Survey questions and selected responses are included, along with a list of responding institutions. Representative web pages from the schools’ study abroad programs are also provided, as are representative web pages showing libraries’ resources and services in support of the programs. The study notes that the number of participants in study abroad programs has risen steadily since 1985 and is expected to rise exponentially in the coming years. The author concludes that “ARL Member libraries will be well positioned to serve these and other remotely located students through their increasingly digital libraries.” C. Thomes
2007
Talbot, Christine J. Studying at a Distance: A Guide for Students, Second Edition. New York: Open University Press, 2007. 191 pp. ISBN 0335223699.
This book, which is based on a guide produced for distance learning students at the University of Leeds, is intended for student use prior to beginning a distance-learning program. The text includes suggestions for goal setting, time management, study skills and resources, reading and note taking, essays and written examinations, doing a research project, group work, and active learning. The elements of e-learning and advice from former students are also included. C. Barboza
Brophy, Peter, Jenny Craven, and Margaret Markland, eds. Libraries Without Walls 7: Exploring ‘anywhere, anytime’ delivery of library services. London: Facet Publishing, 2007. 255 pp. ISBN 1-85604-623-7.
The seventh “Libraries Without Walls” conference was held in Lesvos, Greece in 2007. Contributors to this conference included information specialists, research associates, subject specialists, heads of departments, and library directors. While the overall theme of the conference was distance or online learning, there was a focus on library users’ needs. This focus was presented through the implementation of user-friendly integrated search systems that use social software to create a social space for distance learners and reach library users through the Developing Library Network (DELNET). Assessment was another topic strongly covered at the conference through the evaluation of digital cultural maps, re-usable learning objects for information literacy, information literacy audits, and assessing information skills through electronic environments. There are several other papers presented in this publication, an introduction by the editor, and an index. L. Williams
2006
Brophy, Peter, Jenny Craven, and Margaret Markland, eds. Libraries Without Walls 6: Evaluating the distributed delivery of library services. London: Facet Publishing, 2006. 242 pp. ISBN 1-85604-576-5.
The sixth “Libraries Without Walls” conference was held in Lesvos, Greece in 2006. There were 23 papers presented at the conference with several of them having a common theme of measuring the impact of libraries. Topics included the impact of library services on health professionals, measuring impact in a higher education library, the impact of public library service, and the impact of library services over time. Another theme of several conference papers was evaluation and assessment of library services and resources. Papers were presented on assessment of the usability of distributed services, evaluating online services, online video libraries, ebraries, and OverDrive’s ebook systems. Other topics covered were user attitudes in the success of digital libraries, a joined-up electronic journal service, and the involvement of customers in library planning and decision making. L. Williams
Library Services for Distance Learning: Fifth bibliography 