Virtual Library Services for Distance Learners - Essay Example

According to the Western Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications in 2001, “The number of universities in the United States offering online degree courses would be an estimated 34% in the year 2002.”  Therefore, it is imperative that library resources and services in institutions of higher education meet the needs of all their students, wherever these students are located -- whether on the main campuses or in distance education programs. Higher learning institutions can describe the nature of change for distance learners' needs but seem less prepared to describe what changes are needed.  College and university librarians are acutely aware that usage of their websites and electronic resources is growing. They observe that, since distance learners need electronic library resources, knowledge about the needs of their student users is limited (Kirby, 1999).

What are Virtual Libraries and Distance Learning?

As Pennsylvania State University ascertains, “A virtual library is a collection of information that is stored and accessed electronically. The information stored in the library should have a topic common to all the data” (2001). For example, a virtual library can be designed for computer graphics, operating systems, or networks. These separate libraries can be combined under one common interface that deals with computers, but information within each library must that remain the purpose of a virtual library is to provide a central location for accessing information particular topic. The last thing a user wants to happen when he/she searches for information about computer graphics is to get information on operating systems. A virtual library must keep topics separate; otherwise, it would be totalized visual library should also have a user interface that is easy to use.

Definitions of distance learning vary.  According to LaSalle University, in its simplest terms, distance-learning place when place student and instructor are separated by physical distance (2005). The terms distance education and open learning are synonymous with distance learning. Distributed learning is another synonym, usually referring more specifically to programs where courses are taught online, and collaboration and virtual interaction among students in the same course are encouraged (Connick, 1999).