Archive - Historical Material

Until the past few years, distance education has been slow to find support in the United States, particularly for advanced degree programs. As distance education gains popularity in the US, academic departments in US colleges and universities have seen the opportunity to expand into off-site programs. Much attention has been given to the logistics and methodology of teaching such off-site courses, including providing laboratory and other facilities for science and engineering disciplines. Less attention has been given to providing information services for the off-site program. This paper discusses the collaboration of the University of Virginia Library with the University of Virginia Division of Continuing Education to provide library services for off-site students.

The University of Virginia, located in Charlottesville, Virginia, is one of six doctoral institutions in the state. Among its programs is an active program of continuing education, serving approximately 2 000 students in Masters and Doctoral programs, as well as several thousand students who enroll for one or two classes. Classes are held in locations as far-flung as Tidewater, Virginia (175 miles from Charlottesville); Northern Virginia (120 miles); and Wise Virginia (300 miles). In order to serve this population, the University of Virginia Library has set up a program of library support for distance education students, with the intention of delivering information to faculty members and students when and where they need it. By incorporating new electronic technologies and the resources of a statewide consortium called VIVA (Virtual Virginia), the University of Virginia Library is able to serve the needs of students throughout the state.