Library Support to Distance Learners: Case of a University’s Distance Library Services in India

What Makes Distance Library Services Valuable?

Several professional bodies like the Indian Library Association (ILA), American Library Association (ALA), Association of College and Research Libraries under ALA, Commonwealth of Learning (COL) etc., have clearly spelt out standards and guidelines for offering distance library services. Owing to the quantum leap in online and distance learning systems and institutions, globally the body of literature on distance library services is also observed to be increasing rapidly. But what makes distance library services valuable? Distance Education (DE) or Distance Learning (DL) or Online & Distance Learning (ODL) or be it any name such as education through correspondence or even e-learning, the very obvious fact is that the teacher and the taught are physically separated by means of time and space; and this calls for sound support in terms of supplementary materials for a fruitful learning experience to take place. This very fact itself makes distance or off-campus library services valuable.