Serving Unaffiliated Distance Learners: Strategies That Work

Abstract

Dealing with unaffiliated distance learning students can be a daunting task for many public as well as academic librarians. This article will discuss strategies for providing reference to these students by gathering information on what services they are offered via their home institutions, and helping them navigate the often confusing landscape of library resources and services. Authors will outline the challenges and opportunities for public libraries presented by distance learners and suggest some services that might be provided for them. Finally, we will discuss the opportunities for outreach to distance learning students from both public and academic libraries.Enrollment in distance education programs in the United States is surging. The recent economic downturn has displaced hundreds of thousands of workers, many of whom are older adults looking to learn new skills or gain new certifications delivered by a convenient distance education program. Internet savvy teens and twenty-somethings are also drawn to distance learning as a comfortable medium in which to learn and study. This article will give an overview of how this growth in online and distance education has affected public libraries, placing a strain on often overburdened and underfunded institutions. Strategies will be offered for both public and academic libraries to plan and deliver the best service to their patrons.

Integrating Library Services Between Two Urban Institutions

“…Librarians who support distance learners need to advocate strongly and in advance for these needs with IT support services. Nickel & Mulvihill (2010) expressed the need for librarians supporting distance students to advocate for them to the rest of the library.…”

Universities and Public Libraries Supporting Student Success: An Exploratory Study

“…This is well asserted in earlier literature about public library services supporting academic study, the libraries' collection as the lens for this view (Power and Keenan, 1991;Scilken, 1993 as cited in Behr andLaDell-Thomas, 2014). However, more recently, the public library as a 'distraction-free zone' for study, as well as the provision of exam supervision, and the use of group study spaces and meeting rooms have been recognised as services that could be used by university students (Nickel and Mulvihill, 2010;Behr and LaDell-Thomas, 2014). Findings of this study suggest that public libraries are potentially an ideal 'host' for university study, with the availability of spaces and technology, such as data projectors, printers and Internet, as well as a peer-to-peer 'connector' within their local area, and 'way finder' for students to access learning support services from the university.…”

What Do They Have that We Don't Have? Local Libraries and Distance Students: Why Do Students Stray and Can We Get Them Back?

“…Holba-Puacz and Bradfield (2006) note that, while distance learners present a unique set of challenges, offering the public library as "a place where distance learners can come for face-to-face contact may be very appealing" (p. 49). Access to a physical space that is free of distraction can be invaluable to nontraditional students who are completing coursework in addition to juggling the demands of family and work (Nickel & Mulvihill, 2010). At the same time, academic librarians may have concerns about the quality of service distance students receive through local libraries.…”

“…Even so, library administrators may continue to regard offering services to distance learners in light of the impact that use will have on the overall operation of the library and its ability to serve all of its constituents. Public libraries in 41 states cut funding in 2009, with 20% of those anticipating additional reductions (American Libraries, as cited in Nickel & Mulvihill, 2010). Military base libraries, while often better funded than public libraries, are primarily focused on serving the military base community (Shontz & Murray, 2007).…”

“…Some public librarians find serving distance learners to be a "great marketing tool" and others find it to be an "enormous burden" (Nickel & Mulvihill, 2010). Holba-Puacz and Bradfield (2006) note that, while distance learners present a unique set of challenges, offering the public library as "a place where distance learners can come for face-to-face contact may be very appealing" (p. 49).…”