Distributed Learning and Virtual Librarianship

Brought to you by a team of experienced practitioners in the field, this book examines the vast topic of library support for distributed learning, providing both historical and contemporary viewpoints. What is the best way to deliver research resources to students who live "off campus"—as in, "way off campus," in a rural area without a high-speed Internet connection? And where does one find a complete (and accurate) synopsis of copyright guidelines that will prevent well-intentioned librarians from being labeled as the "copyright police"? The answers to these two questions regarding distributed learning—and many more—are contained in Distributed Learning and Virtual Librarianship. Written by practitioners in their field of expertise, this book documents the history of distributed learning and discusses current issues in distributed learning librarianship, with a special focus on the role of technology. Topics covered include virtual libraries, reference assistance, E-reserves and document delivery, administrative and marketing issues, and copyright concerns. This text is valuable to librarians working in public, school, and academic libraries.