Library Service for distance learners at the NODE Learning Technology Network

Citation

(1998), "Library Service for distance learners at the NODE Learning Technology Network", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 12. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.17307lad.002

Library Service for distance learners at the NODE Learning Technology Network

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Library Service for distance learners at the NODE Learning Technology Network

Providing strong library services for distance learners has always been an awkward, expensive and time-consuming endeavour. New technologies and models of collaboration have the potential to lift many of the barriers to remote library services, although that potential is only just beginning to be realised; they also have the potential to leave students without access to technology even further behind.

In June 1998, the University of Western Ontario's NODE Learning Technology Network ran a story on the difficulties inherent in providing library services to off-campus students http://node.on.ca/networking/june1998/feature1.html. As a result of the feedback received, NODE decided to collect resources and offer them as a special topic. "Library services for distance education" can be found at http://node.on.ca/tfl/library/ The resources gathered are divided into the following categories:

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  a collection of guidelines developed by library associations;

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  practical examples of ways in which institutions are implementing library services for distance education;

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  an annotated bibliography of articles which discuss this issue;

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  a selection of electronic mailing lists dedicated to various aspects of library service for distance education;

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  links to a number of special interest groups which examine this issue.

The Network has also reopened the "reader feedback" form from the original networking article which discusses this subject http://node.on.ca/networking/ june1998/feature1.html

The NODE Learning Technology Network http://node.on.ca is a nonprofit electronic network facilitating information and resource sharing, collaboration and research in the field of learning technologies for post-secondary education. The Web site provides current, comprehensive information for learners and practitioners engaged in technologically-mediated teaching and learning. For more information please contact: Leslie Fournier, Stevenson-Lawson Building, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5B8. E-mail: lfournier@node.on.ca Web site: http://node.on.ca