Electronic Resources in the Virtual Learning Environment: A Guide for Librarians

Citation

Cronau, D. (2005), "Electronic Resources in the Virtual Learning Environment: A Guide for Librarians", Online Information Review, Vol. 29 No. 4, pp. 426-427. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520510617901

This small book should be compulsory reading for all librarians and educators. It is right up to the minute, informative, practical and backed‐up by well‐sourced research. It is a worthwhile overview of the state of play within the e‐learning environment, and its content is vital if librarians are to enter a dialogue with educators and technologists to ensure that their institutions are not left behind. While aimed at librarians and other information professionals working in the education sector, those employed in other sectors may also find this worthwhile, as customer education linked with promotion is certainly a foundation of the profession.

This title provides an overview of recent developments in both libraries and the wider education sector. It charts the recent development of both digital libraries and virtual learning environments and shows how these systems are increasingly being integrated to improve the learning experience. Supporting this, examples of both research and practice are provided along with an examination of key developments throughout the pioneering 1990s.

Chapter 1 provides a context to the book. It explores the development of the digital library and includes up‐to‐date definitions and terminology along with a consideration of the proliferation of electronic resources in the form of e‐journals and e‐books. Chapter 2 briefly describes the development of e‐learning, focusing on higher education (from a UK perspective) and considers key UK reports and governmental strategies. It focuses on the commercial vendors who have capitalised on developments in this area by developing products such as virtual learning environments.

Chapter 3 looks specifically at information literacy and its relevance to e‐learning. It highlights how the role of the information professional has shifted towards an increased emphasis on the librarian as an educator and looks at the skills required to be an information professional in today's technological world. Chapter 4 considers issues of copyright and licensing, which are becoming increasingly important in the digital environment. The chapter provides an overview of copyright law relating to education institutions in the UK, USA and Australia. It also considers various licensing schemes issued by reprographic rights organisations. Finally, the chapter recognises that librarians have a new, important advisory role when staff want to use resources in e‐learning.

Chapter 5 looks at technical issues associated with e‐learning and digital libraries. It is particularly concerned with standards and specifications in both fields. It also considers issues of access and authentication to ensure the appropriate use of resources. E‐learning standards and specifications are considered. This chapter also provides a brief overview of metadata, library resources and learning objectives. Chapter 6 ties it all together by providing a series of case studies from UK universities. These illustrate ways in which librarians have become involved in e‐learning initiatives. Another wonderful inclusion is the final example in the book – a guide to linking electronic journal resources.

Apart from providing an excellent introduction or update to this area of the profession, this book includes two useful appendices – a sample letter to the owner of a web site to request permission to download material for educational use, and a sample letter to a publisher to request permission to use an extract from a printed journal.

A “Glossary” and “Commonly used abbreviations” list of new acronyms and terminology web sites that have emerged from the e‐learning field conclude this very informative book, which is highly recommended to anyone coming to grips with the interface between libraries and e‐learning initiatives.