In the Distance Learning Section, we discuss, promote, and support library services delivered to students who might live 20 miles from a central campus or 200 miles or even across an ocean.  Areas of interest to our members include reference and referral services, library instruction, cooperative library agreements, consortia arrangements, document delivery, and many of the other issues confronting librarians today.  The ACRL Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services developed by this section provide guidance for these programs.  Library services in a distance learning framework are always evolving, and the section actively promotes opportunities and new ways to think about connecting students with information.

We work actively with other ALA groups to promote library and information services, especially to distance learners.  We cooperate with other sections to investigate learning at a distance, electronic reserves, copyright issues, and collaborative relationships among libraries.  We seek continued networking with other sections to maintain this dialogue about how to better serve students who do not live on or near a geographically defined campus.

For more information, please contact Rob Morrison, Chair of the Distance Learning Section and Coordinator of Distance Education Library Services at the SciTech Library, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-3100.  His e-mail is: robmor@cc.usu.edu.

The Distance Learning Sections web page provides comprehensive information about the section, its activities and membership.  You can find it at: http://ecuvax.cis.ecu.edu/~lbshouse/home.htm.
 

Susan Barnes Whyte, a member of the Communications Committee of the Distance Learning Section, is Public Services Librarian at Linfield College, McMinnville, OR.