1. 1 Distance Education and Library Resources at Vista University: From Unplanned growth to a Visionary Package Juliano M. Kabamba Vista University Pretoria, South Africa Kbmba-jm@acaleph.vista.ac.za

2. 2 Vista University Library Services: Outline b Historical Introduction b Overview & Composition b Distance Education Programme b Library Services: 1982 - 1998 b Library Services: 1998 - to-date b Planning the Way Forward b Forging Strategic Partnerships

3. 3 Vista University Library Services: Outline b Management Structure b Policy Statement b Students Profiles b Library Service Programmes b Procedures & Documentation b Feedback & Introspection b Concluding Remarks

4. 4 Vista University Library Services: Historical Introduction b Youngest of the Public Funded Universities in South Africa b Largest of the Historically Disadvantaged Universities b Nature of the Historically Disadvantaged Universities b Dual Mode and Non-residential University

5. 5 Vista University Library Services: Overview & Composition b Students Population : over 25,500 b Eight Campuses located in three Provincial Centres b Faculties: Management, Science, Education, Law, & Arts b Library Structure

6. 6 Vista University Library Services: Distance Learning Programme b Origin : Upgrading of Teachers qualifications b Phasing out Certificate Programmes b Development of Degree Programmes b Learning model

7. 7 Vista University Library Services: Library Services: 1982 - 1989 b Exclusion of Off-campus Students b Under funding b Underlying Assumption b Absence of Will and Commitment b Lack of competion

8. 8 Vista University Library Services: Library Services: 1998 to-date b Creation of Position of Central Campus Librarian b Experiences of other Institutions b Linking with Branch / Public Libraries

9. 9 Vista University Library Services: Planning Process b Setting the Agenda b Searching for Partners b Mapping Students Locations b Identification of Public & College Libraries b Focus on Learner Support Centres

10. 10 Vista University Library Services: Forging Strategic Partnerships b Phased-in Approach b Laying the Foundation b Explaining the Scheme b Pre-view of Library Facilities b Memorandum of Agreement

11. 11 Vision for Distance Learners: Management Structure b Shifting from Reactive to proactive approach b Setting the stage b Appointment of Librarian Responsible for Distance Learning

12. 12 Vision for Distance Learners: Policy Statement b Affirmation for Support b Principle of Equivalent Services b Avoiding inequalities

13. 13 Vision for Library Services: Students Profiles b Information Needs of Off -campus Students b Disparities Among Off-campus Students b Plotting the Nature of Services

14. 14 Vision for Library Services: Programme b Planning for the Mode of Delivery b Categories of Students Cohorts b Differentiating levels of Support

15. 15 Vision for Library Services: Procedures & Documentation b Articulation of Library Services b Dissemination of procedures & Regulations b Suppressing Undue Expectations

16. 16 Vision for Library Services: Feedback & Introspection b Performance & Cost Effectiveness b Culture of Record Management b Follow-up Site Visits b Maintaining Contacts with Academics

17. 17 Vision for Library Services: Concluding Remarks b Is complete Parity Achievable? b Opportunities Offerings of IT b Digital Recording & Electronic Transfer b Donor Support and Partnerships b Competion for Students