Online Northwest: Library Services for Distance Learners

by: Cass Kvenild, Distance Learning Librarian, University of Wyoming

Online enrollment is going up, more students taking online classes

Asynchronous Solutions
Adapt handouts
Create Videos/screencasts/vodcast
Participate in Discussion Threads on CMS, embedding the librarian
—this is the one that the presenter likes the best
Podcasting
Document delivery–deliver to everyone, stop wasting people’s time

Synchronous real-time solutions
Phone
IM reference services
Embed in CMS, tab for the library–lots of use because students have to use it
Students like text messaging reference service, very positive, lots of use from students

How do you evaluate your services?
Surveys online
Integrate your evaluations with other evaluations happening at your organization
Embedding evaluation in assignments

Take home message: Don’t waste your patrons’ time; make it easy for students to get the resources and help they need.