The role of distance education in library and information studies education

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Haythornthwaite, Josephine A.^{; 1} | White, Frances C.P.

Affiliations: Glasgow Polytechnic Library, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK

Note: [1] (This paper is based on findings which are described at greater length in Distance Education in Library and Information Studies: a survey, London BLRDD, 1988).

Abstract: A British Library Research and Development Department (BLRDD) research project which aimed to locate the distance education packages relating to library and information science education in the developed English-speaking countries is described. It sets out the methodology of the survey and gives the results obtained; discusses the available literature and specifically the problems of terminology which emerge; and offers the valuable shared insights and opinions of experienced practitioners of distance education in library and information science which were generated by the investigation. From the responses and the reading, a current ‘state of the art’ is outlined, indicating the positive and negative aspects of distance education, and the hopes and fears of practitioners, current and potential. Proceeding from this, recommendations for possible future patterns of distance education development in library and information science education are proposed.

DOI: 10.3233/EFI-1991-9404

Journal: Education for Information, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 305-316, 1991