Digital Library Strategies for Distance Learners Roy Tennant The Library University of California, Berkeley Being in Their Face and Out of Their Way

Outline zLibraries and Distance Learning zBarriers to the Future zFactors Affecting Barriers zThe Impact of Network Access zWhat to Do zBeing “In Their Face” zBeing “Out of Their Way”

Libraries & Distance Learning zThe traditional situation: ytelephone reference assistance yrequests and books by mail zThe future situation: yall of the above, plus... ynetwork access to the library catalog, abstracting and indexing databases, full-text, digital images, multimedia resources, etc. yonline, real-time reference assistance without long-distance telephone charges

Barriers to the Future zLack of access to a personal computer zPoor or missing network infrastructure zLack of computer skills

Factors Affecting Barriers: Computer Access zPrices are dropping dramatically zIn many countries (not all) the economic and educational climate is improving zRegional learning centers can make computers available to students zAwareness grows that higher education and computer skills are necessary for success

Factors Affecting Access: Internet Access zSatellite systems reduce the need for in- country physical infrastructure zCosts are likely to decline zRegional learning centers would reduce the need for personal connections zThose who work will increasingly be connected through their place of employment

Factors Affecting Barriers: Computer Skills zInformation skills are likely to become more important and valued zComputers are likely to become more accessible zWe can work to make our systems more intuitive and easier to use

The Library: The Good zHas the capability to deliver information to the remote user for no (or less than before) incremental cost zCan provide users with access to a vast array of information resources without coming to the library The Impact of Network Access

The Library: The Bad & Ugly zMust organize access to a vast array of resources zMust increasingly provide filtering services to reduce the choices or guide the user to the appropriate one zMust find ways to serve the needs of those who are remote (not always in distance!) zMust carry on with existing services The Impact of Network Access

The User: The Good zAccess to an incredible array of resources, with most just a few clicks away zEasy (and often cheap) communication z24x7 access (no closed doors) The Impact of Network Access

The User: The Bad & Ugly zMust cope with being faced with a bewildering number of choices, often with very little guidance as to which is most appropriate for a specific need zMust learn new technologies and techniques zMust cope with a lack of visual cues zMust cope with a lack of convenient assistance The Impact of Network Access

Miscellaneous Impacts zRemote online library collections become more accessible than your print collections zYou are no longer the solution of first resort zThe rules of convenience and “good enough” can leave your users underserved zThe improvement of services to network users often improves services for in-house users as well The Impact of Network Access

What To Do: Your Role zGuide users to the best resources (both print and digital) for their need zUse every channel at your disposal (online help, phone reference, online reference...) zGet those resources to them (mail, fax, network) zBe active instead of reactive

What to Do: Specifically zInsert yourselves into your campus’ distance learning planning process zFind out how other libraries support distance education zEstablish a robust networking infrastructure zAssign responsibility for managing library participation in distance learning initiatives zReconfigure your services for the distance learner — be “in their face”

Being “In Their Face”: Why? zMany catalogs and search systems are difficult to understand and use zUsers need help at the moment they get stuck — is inadequate zUnless assistance is obvious and convenient, the user will remain stuck zOther, readily available information sources, can be convenient but inadequate (web search engines, for example)

Being “In Their Face”: How zPut your reference desk phone number in prominent places in your catalog system and web site zHave a method to get assistance on every search results screen in your control zConsult literature/colleagues/conferences for new ideas on providing service zKeep up with new network-based communication technologies

Being “Out of Their Way”: Why? zOur users simply want to get their work done zAnything extraneous gets in their way zOver-complicated search systems hinder access for the majority z80/20 rule as applied to search systems zIt’s time to rethink what we’re doing!

Being “Out of Their Way”: How zSimplify the interface zComplicate the back-end: yPre-processing the query yPost-processing the results yFilter options ySort options zThink imaginatively about what makes an effective search system