Distance Education Services  Tags: uwm distance_education distance_student online_student interlibrary_loan  

Philosophy of Service

Every effort will be made to accommodate the needs of Distance Education/Continuing and Extended Education students and faculty equitable to traditional, on-campus users. Traditional, on-campus library services will be insufficient to meet these needs in many instances. Innovative, personalized and varied formats of information access and delivery will be emphasized.

Principles of Service

1.0 The home campus, where the student pays tuition and fees, will be responsible for providing and arranging for library resources and access services. This includes, but is not limited to:

1.1 Authentication processes for validation and identification.

1.2 Coordination with UW System and other libraries for filling ILL/Document Delivery requests, electronic access and on-site services.

1.3 Electronic reference and direct reference service; including e-mail access and related electronic connectivity for students.

1.4 World Wide Web Distance Education Home Page with direct linkage to library services and self-help modules; developing appropriate e-forms.

1.5 Facilitating instruction to enhance students’ information seeking skills.

1.6 Providing a "800" number for the library.

2.0 A Distance and Extended Education Librarian Liaison on each campus will be identified to promote and coordinate programs, agreements and policies/procedures for students, faculty and UW System libraries.

3.0 Interlibrary loan services will be provided to UW students currently enrolled in Distance Education courses. Students will need to provide identification and verification of enrollment.

4.0 Every effort should be made to make reserve materials available to Distance Learners. Alternate means such as providing copies of relevant materials in course packets, disseminating electronic versions of materials, or copying audio or video information to tapes provided by the student should be explored. UW System-wide policy with respect to copyright will need to be followed.

5.0 The originating institution will provide Distance Education library information—via a short handout, World Wide Web, or other means—to be included by the instructor with the course materials for the students, and promulgate the availability of such a handout. Information regarding modem access to the university network should be included as well as the Distance Education librarian’s contact information, and interlibrary loan forms. The originating institution will also promulgate the Policy on Library Support for Distance Education to Distance Education instructors.

6.0 For purposes of continuing adjustment to the needs of Distance Education students, the Distance Education librarian should provide periodic reports to the Director of the Library or CUWL representative, indicating the approximate number of student contacts, the services requested, problems encountered, etc. These reports will be reviewed by CUWL as it meets. Additionally, UW Distance Education liaison librarians should develop a list serve to exchange information. An annual teleconference with the group is also recommended.

Note: These general guidelines and principles were adopted in accordance with the ACRL Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Service, 1998.