Supporting distance learners: Overview of Library Services at The Open University Debbie Sheehy Business Development Support Officer April 2010

The Open University Walton Hall, Milton Keynes campus 13 regional centres c600 courses 8,000 associate lecturers 13,000 staff Single course, certificate, diplomas, degree programmes, PG, research Materials - paper-based, blended and online learning Europe and worldwide

Open University students no previous qualifications required 164,000 undergraduate students 18,000 postgraduate students 10,000 students have disabilities 26,700 students live outside UK Part-time study –70% of undergraduates in full- time employment –50% sponsored by employer 2 million alumni

Library Services Focus on e-library services Report to Pro Vice-Chancellor, Learning, Teaching & Quality Resources –3 rd party licensed materials –OU teaching materials, Archive, Open Research Online 95 staff managed as 3 teams –Academic and Student Services –Information Management and Innovation –Business Performance and Management

Our priorities are to Provide a variety of excellent learning resources to enhance the student’s learning experience Ensure that all our students develop the skills they need for work and study in the knowledge society

How do we do this?

We provide a user-friendly portal to our collections and services

And a mobile version for students on the move (

We provide helpdesk support by phone, or web chat How do you connect? dcuo Help and support dcuo 3xc

We integrate library resources into courses and programmes

Supporting e-learning Embedding resources into the curriculum – integrating into courses/programmes –20% increase in ejournal downloads in 2008/09 –191 unique courses with some integration Case studies available - A200, A251, AA315, AA317, A840, AD252, BU130, D821, DD208, DD306/7, DU301, ED209, K115, MSc Science, SDK125, Social Work Programme, T324/5, T455, W100

We provide generic information skills materials

Supporting e-learning - skills Embedding information literacy skills into curriculum – SAFARI, InfoRate diagnostic tool –University-wide levels indicators for key skills including IL e.g. social work programme Training –e-meeting Training (Elluminate software) TU 120 – Beyond Google

Elluminate – e-meeting software

TU120 Beyond Google Provides ‘survival skills’ for navigating the information landscape Students encouraged to experiment with web 2 tools e.g. wikis, blogs, social networking tools. downloadable audio Part of Technology’s Relevant Knowledge programme

The Evolving Information Professional; challenges in the digital world for information professionals – librarians, archivists, information and knowledge managers keep up to date with modern technologies, sources of information and today’s users 30 hours online Flexible learning, roll-on, roll-off course work-based Certificate of completion

We provide programmes and materials to help staff develop their knowledge and skills

Open Learn see ‘Find information in…’ Open electronic information resources

Working with employers – i-Know i-Know project –Aimed at workplace –Bite-size learning using multimedia approaches –Opportunities to integrate into learning and use with employers

Information and Knowledge at work video webpage

Eg. Open Research Online

Being where students are -Social networking - Twitter -Taking the news and services to where the students are

Library Facebook page Being where students are

what we’re working on Mobile Safari - homepage Services via mobile devices

iKnow on a mobile Services via mobile devices

Supporting Achievement

Contacts Josephine Burt, Business Development Manager, Library Services – tel: