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Distance Learners Case Study

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Outreach Library services for Distance Learners

*1 M. Manthira Moorthy * 2 S.M. Mohamed Lukman

1. Librarian and Information Assistant, Anna Centenary Library, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 25
2. Librarian and Information Assistant, Anna Centenary Library, Gandhi Mandapam Road, Kotturpuram, Chennai – 25

Abstract Distance Learning has made tremendous growth all over the world during the last three decades. The growth in number of distance learning institutions, increase in number of programmes/courses, exponential growth in literature on distance learning, increasing number of conferences and th growth in number of distance learners all these have contributed …show more content…
Now there is a greater visible focus on providing distance learners with a variety of library services, including document delivery in portable document format, access to digital libraries, e-,ail reference services, virtual reference desks, and online literature searches of databases, etc. Several institutions are engaged I developing learning resource portals for different target groups of learners, with a view to provide area specific web-based information and services to learners, and save their time from browsing the unlimited information available on the Internet. We feel that there is a greater need to develop online resources support, and virtual search environment for the benefit of a fairly large cross section of learners and …show more content…
The University, therefore, provides extensive support through tutorials, day schools, telephones tuition and, increasingly, online communication with tutors and fellow students-as well as self-study centres and both a physical and an electronic library

1 Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).(1999), Guidelines on the quality assurance of distance learning. QAA, Gloucester.
2 The Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL).(2001a). Access for Distance Learners: report of the SCONUL task force. Briefing paper prepared by Elizabeth Heaps. SCONUL, London. (http://sconul.ac.uk/publications/publications.htm#2)
3 Tam, Sheung-Wai.(2001), “Reflection on Open and Distance Learning”. Public Lecture on the occasion of his receiving the International council for Open and Distance Education: Prize of Excellence for individuals, 2001. Oslo, Norway. December.

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