The Role of the Library in Distance Learning: A Study of Postgraduate Students, Course Providers and Librarians in the UK

Citation

Freeman, M. (2001), "The Role of the Library in Distance Learning: A Study of Postgraduate Students, Course Providers and Librarians in the UK", New Library World, Vol. 102 No. 1/2, pp. 68-72. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw.2001.102.1_2.68.3

This sound – if rather belated – research report, one of the British Library’s noted Research and Innovation series, is very much what its subtitle states: a good, well structured and timely study of PG students (in a variety of disciplines), course providers and librarians in the UK.

Distance learning (DL) is a real tangible growth area; as one of the Open University’s original “A” students I have watched with interest the startling growth of DL in the further and higher education arenas over the past decade. As the authors wisely observe “DL is likely to be an effective pedagogy for mature students who are in full employment”. LIS provision for DL students does raise some knotty problems and issues for librarians, e.g. electronic delivery methods, library access, the alternative use of public libraries and charges arising from such use. The conclusions and recommendations made are helpful, sensible and capable of implementation. The comprehensive literature review on DL is excellent and outlines the problems facing academic librarians today in trying to cope with DL. The chapters on “the Student Diary study” and on “PG Course Providers’ perspectives” are well organised and illuminatory. There is a good, up to date List of References and several useful Appendices.

DL is going to grow remorselessly (witness the imminent arrival of the UfI) and librarians are going to have to face up to its diverse challenges – as the Report states “There is an urgent need for a National Strategy” – DCMS and DfEE are you listening?