Library Services for Distance Learners
Ka-Neng Au

1. Who is the distance learner at Rutgers?
   1. Profile: mostly part-time graduate students
   2. Statistics: 656 and 324
   
   
   
2. What library services is RUL currently providing to the distance learner?
   1. Remote access to parts of the digital collections e.g. e-books, e-journals, e-reserves, indexes and databases
   2. Assistance with general and research inquiries via e-mail and live reference
   3. Access to general and course-related instructional tutorials
   4. Access to selective tools and resources via Subject Research Guides
   5. Access to current borrowing record for renewals
   6. Notification of ILL/RRS status via e-mail
   
   
   
3. What other steps could we consider taking?
   1. Deliver library materials physically or virtually
   2. Provide access to complete patron record
   3. Enable online payment of fines
   4. Offer a toll-free reference service hotline
   5. Forge ties with specific courses offered online or off-campus
   6. Arrange for reciprocal borrowing privileges
   
   
   
4. For further information, consult the ICDL Distance Learning Literature Database [http://www-icdl.open.ac.uk/lit2k/] and the Guidelines for Distance Learning Library Services from the ACRL. [http://www.ala.org/acrl/guides/distlrng.html]