Project Vision
Project Mission
Operating Definitions and Principles
Program Area 1: Awareness
Program Area 2: Information Literacy
Program Area 3: Information Access
Program Area 4: Reference and Technical Assistance
Program Area 5: Integration
 

Project Vision

Project Mission

To close the gap separating distance learners from the library resources and services they need, to which they are entitled, and that are now conveniently available to on-campus learners; and

To innovate services for distance learners and faculty that will benefit remote users of the Libraries throughout the University community.

Operating Definitions and Principles

The Distance Learning Development Project supports the mission and strategic initiatives of the Libraries and its alignment with the mission of the University. Within this framework, the following definitions and principles guide the Project.

The Project:

• considers a distance learner to be a student of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, who by choice or circumstance, primarily accesses the learning resources and services of the University remotely;

• assumes responsibility for University distance learners by ensuring that their access to library resources and services is equitable to that provided for on-campus learners for similar learning experiences. Lack of access to library resources and services, or the perception thereof, should never be a factor in compromising the quality of the distance learning experience;

 
• assesses the information needs and satisfaction of distance learners and faculty to ensure that the Libraries’ services are responsive to learners’ circumstances and preferences, including their locations, schedules, and learning styles;

• ensures that the services developed for distance learners benefit all library users; and conversely, advocates that services developed principally for on-campus students hold benefit for distance learners;

 
• builds an organizational foundation for providing library support to distance learners that is scalable and sustainable, and that is integrated into the regular operations of the Libraries;

• plans, implements, and evaluates services with input from the Libraries’ staff; University students, faculty, and administrators; and library colleagues beyond the University;

• contributes at a University level to help ensure that the Libraries plays an integral role in advancing University-wide distance and technology-enhanced learning initiatives; and

 
• contributes at the state and regional level to develop broader strategies for serving the expanding population of distance and distributed learners in ways that can benefit both the University of Minnesota and other higher education institutions in Minnesota.

Program Area 1:

Awareness

Vision:
Distance Learners are fully aware of library resources and services relevant to their needs
 

GOAL 1. A.:
 

Increase awareness in Distance Learners about the library resources and services available to them.

Objectives 1999-2000

Marketing:

• Commission the development of a marketing plan focused on raising student and faculty awareness, with recommendations due by the end of Fall Semester 1999, and act upon it in Spring Semester 2000.

 
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the project’s primary "awareness products" (i.e., brochure, web site, text modules, use of Dist-L) and distribution strategies for them; by the end of Fall Semester 1999.

 

• Provide information/orientations to key campus distance learning organization, including the Distance Learning Student Association and the University College Student Advisory Board; by the end of Fall Semester 1999.

 

• Offer and provide "Library Research from a Distance" orientation sessions to distance learners, to be delivered in-person, via ITV, or online; by the beginning of Fall 1999, and as requested throughout the year.

• Produce "Library Research from a Distance" multimedia orientation for CD-ROM and web distribution; by March 2000.

 

• Integrate Ask Us! links (included both mediated and unmediated aspects) into as many of the Libraries’ database and service interfaces and relevant University sites (e.g., TEL site) as feasible, by the end of Fall Semester 1999.

 

Objectives 1999-2000

Marketing:

• For faculty and instructors, prepare and market readily available modules of text detailing library services available for distance learners, which can be easily copied and inserted into course documentation (e.g., course web pages, syllabi, study guides); by August 1999.

 
• Investigate prospects for integrating Libraries’ orientation information into prevalent University course authoring tools (i.e., WebCT) by July 1999, and act upon opportunities by September 1999.

 

• Announce the availability of new products and services on/in Dist-L, Kiosk, MINITEX-News listserv, MINITEX Messenger, and other major communications to faculty and library staff; as timely and appropriate.

 
• Publish a LibraryLine article with the theme of "What your students can do from a distance and how to make it happen" by Spring Semester 2000.

 
• Publish a DLD Project Report/Newsletter issue for distribution to University Libraries’ staff; by January 2000.

 

• Package, offer and provide "Library Research from a Distance" orientation sessions to faculty, TA’s, instructional support staff; by the beginning of Fall 1999 and as requested throughout the year.

• Develop and offer to University Libraries’ staff a travelling orientation on "what the DLD Project can do to help units support distance learners;" by December 1999.

 
• Organize a "support staff summit" with campus units that support distance learning faculty and students by October 15, 1999.
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Program Area 2:

Information Literacy

Vision:
Distance Learners have the competencies essential to work and live successfully in an information society

GOAL 2.A:
Increase information self-sufficiency for distance learners

Objectives 1999-2000

• Contribute fully to the continued development of QuickStudy: Library Research Guide, ensuring that the needs of Distance Learners are addressed.

 
• Contribute fully to the Libraries’ web design effort, ensuring that the perspective and needs of Distance Learners are addressed. (also in Info Access Program Area).

 
• Investigate the market appeal and effectiveness of an information literacy course for distance delivery, by October 1999.

 

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Educate the User Education Coordinator (when appointed) as to opportunities in distance learning, issues, and barriers that need to be removed for ongoing participation in distance learning instruction.

• Conduct a comprehensive survey of U of M - TC distance learning curricula and assess potential opportunities for incorporating information literacy into these curricula by January 1, 2000.

 
• In collaboration with library liaison/subject selectors, develop and deliver instructional support via appropriate modalities to three high priority curricula throughout the 1999-00 school year -- based on findings from 2.B.5.

 
• Investigate the feasibility of universally integrating an information literacy element into University College distance-delivered curricula, by end of Fall ‘99.

 
• Create and market resources to support integration of information literacy curriculum by faculty and librarians into distance courses (e.g., Toolkit, QuickStudy) by November 1, 1999.

 
• For research and development purposes, develop (by September 1), deliver, and evaluate online instructional modules for a Writing-Intensive English course (TEL Grant) during the Fall 1999 semester.

 
• Analyze the scalability of TEL grant project deliverables to the larger population of remote users and distance learners, and submit recommendations by February 1999.

 
• Contribute to a comprehensive Library-wide plan for integrating information literacy across the curriculum by [TBD].
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Program Area 3:

Information Access

Vision: Distance learners access information needed for their course assignments and research, without regard to geographical location or time
 

GOAL 3.A.:
Facilitate access to print-based information resources needed by distance learners.

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Involve 10 distance learning courses in the piloting, development, and evaluation of electronic course reserves; with IADS; by Fall Semester 1999.

 
• Involve 50 distance learners in the piloting of document delivery to the desktop; with IADS; by the end of Spring Semester 2000.

 
• Explore the prospect of bulk price models for document delivery services needed by entire distance learning programs; with IADS; by beginning of Spring Semester 2000.

 
• Evaluate current modes of providing document delivery to distance learners and examine all other delivery options in the evolving MnLINK/MINITEX environment, by June 2000.

 
• Resolve issues related to distance learners and U Card acquisition for purposes of borrowing library materials; with IADS; by Fall Semester 1999.

 

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Contribute fully to the Libraries’ web redesign effort, ensuring that the perspective and needs of distance learners are addressed; within timeline of the Web Design Team project.

 
• Demonstrate distance learners’ need for the Libraries to present a proxy server solution for access any or all networked resources, regardless of how distance learners connect to the Internet; ongoing until resolved.

 
• Ensure that distance learners have a convenient way to acquire the University’s Internet Kit, by end of Fall Semester 1999.

 
• Contribute to the planning of and advocacy for statewide electronic resources licensing, in accordance with MINITEX RFP and vendor product evaluation processes.

 
• Facilitate the creation and implementation of a UL web page for accessing publicly available literature databases (e.g., for use by non-credit course enrollees, etc.), by September 30, 1999.
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Program Area 4:

Reference and Technical Assistance

Vision: Remote users can access research and related technical assistance without regard to geographic location or time constraint

GOAL 4.A.:
Offer remote users mediated options for obtaining research and technical assistance.

Objectives 1999-2000:

• As part of the TEL grant pilot project "Virtual Research and Writing Center," provide students in selected classes with immediate, interactive assistance from a librarian via conferencing technology, by Fall 1999 and Spring 2000.

 
• Pilot the use of conferencing technology to provide immediate, interactive assistance, with an eye toward implementation for any interested RCS units in service to qualifying remote users, by September 2000.

 
• Investigate the need for, and feasibility of, an InfoPoint-style mediated phone service and determine the grant's role in participating in that effort, by Spring 2000.

 
• Evaluate / measure all of the components of our mediated service:
• Effectiveness of access points for Ask Us! form -- by May 2000
• Effectiveness of Ask Us! form interface -- by May 2000
• Activity levels for email / web / phone transactions -- by December 1999 (ongoing)
• User satisfaction with email / web / phone transactions -- by May 2000 (ongoing)
• Library staff satisfaction with email / web / phone transactions -- May 2000 (ongoing)
• Effectiveness of Ask Us! conferencing interface -- by May 2000
• Activity levels for live conferencing transactions -- by May 2000
• User satisfaction with live conferencing transactions -- by May 2000

 
• Work with the Reference Services Symposium Post-Conference Working Group on the LSTA grant-funded project to pilot a multi-institutional reference & referral network, using question tracking management software to track the status of reference requests, by September 2000.

 
• Work with an RCS unit to pilot the use of question tracking management software, by September 2000, with an eye toward implementation for other interested RCS units, by January 2001.

 
• Provide training opportunities for referencestaff on new tools for providing mediatedreference services to remote users:
• Improve documentation for new InfoPoint staff, by December 1999
• Provide training opportunities on use of live consultation technologies, by September 2000
• Provide training opportunities on use of question tracking management software, by January 2001

 
• Refocus strategies for Library integration with ADCS Helpline for mediated technical assistance requests. Possible activities (pending discussion with Simin Hickman and ADCS staff):
• Conduct an in-service & needs assessment for ADCS staff -- by May 2000
• Provide the Email Accounts Office with available documentation (staff / student decision matrices) and procedures for library access privileges in the X.500, by September 2000
• Implement 2-way call directory options between the Library and ADCS Helpline -- by September 2000
• Evaluate the contents of the Internet Kit for their sufficiency in supplying applications needed by distance learners to obtain mediated assistance, and make recommendations, if any, to ADCS by May 2000

 

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Implement a Question & Answer Database (a web-based self-help tool for obtaining research and technical assistance), by Spring 2000, and integrate both the database and individual question sets into the Libraries' web site, by September 2000.

 
• Evaluate / measure all of the components of our unmediated service:
• Effectiveness of access points for Question & Answer Database -- by December 2000
• Effectiveness of Question & Answer Database user search / browse interface -- by March 2000
• Effectiveness of Question & Answer Database staff authoring interface -- by April 2000
• Activity levels for Question & Answer Database transactions – by May 2000 (ongoing)
• User satisfaction with Question & Answer Database transactions -- by May 2000 (ongoing)

 
• Provide training opportunities for library staff on new tools for providing unmediated reference services to remote users:
• Provide training opportunities on authoring interface for Q&A Database, by May 2000

 
• Update the "Computer Help" page on LUMINA and the "Remote Access to LUMINA" print guide, in accordance with Web Redesign Team criteria, for insertion in / addition to "Library Research from a Distance" brochure (ongoing).

 
• Contribute significantly to the design and development of a database of information related to library-licensed resources (a.k.a., "The Troubleshooting Database"), which will allow both Library staff and users to report / be alerted to / troubleshoot access problems with LUMINA and specific resources, by May 2000.

 
• Contribute to the design and development of tools that assist remote users in the selection and use of appropriate, high quality electronic information resources (e.g., Research QuickStart) (ongoing).

 
• Evaluate phone audiotext / fax-back as information delivery solutions (market demand / interest; need as a basic library service; service provision opportunities in libraries), and determine the grant's role in participating in that effort, by Spring 2000.

 
• Refocus strategies for Library integration with ADCS Helpline for unmediated technical assistance requests. Possible activities (pending discussion with Simin Hickman and ADCS staff):
• Identify records that could be shared by our respective Knowledge Bases, by September 2000
• Provide ADCS with read-only access to the Troubleshooting Database, by September 2000
• Evaluate the contents of the Internet Kit for their sufficiency in supplying applications needed by distance learners to obtain unmediated assistance, and make recommendations, if any, to ADCS by May 2000
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Program Area 5:

Integration

Vision: The Library meets the ongoing needs of distance learners beyond the existence of the Distance Learning Development Project
 

GOAL 5.A.:
Integrate the provision of services to distance learners into ongoing University Library’s service operations.

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Evaluate each program area regarding its need for continuation beyond the grant and the current potential within the Libraries to meet those needs, by April 30, 2000.

• Present an overall grant exit/ongoing support proposal and recommendations for integration to the Libraries, by May 31, 2000 (or before planning and budgeting for FY 2000-01).
  
  
• Recommend the creation of formalized library liaison/coordinator to the University College, the Minnesota Extension Service, and the University of Minnesota-Rochester, by May 31, 2000.
  
  
• Where appropriate, pursue legislative and grant funding to support the growth and expansion of programs with high collaborative potential and where the University Libraries provide statewide leadership (e.g., InfoPoint, Information Literacy); by dates determined by funding sources and in concert with the Libraries administration.

 

Objectives 1999-2000:

• Prepare an environmental scan document focusing on distance learning activities and trends at the University for consideration in the University Libraries’ planning cycle; as the Libraries’ timeline requires; by January 2000.
  
  
• The Learning Initiative. Provide input to the University Libraries’ administration on leveraging DLD-related initiatives and prototypes for integration into the University’s Learning Initiative; as Libraries and University timelines require.
  
  
• Technology Enhanced Learning Initiative. Contribute to the Vice Provost’s TEL Initiative by developing resources for the TEL web site, participating in its Operations Group, and giving a campus-wide seminar on the DLD/Writing Center’s own TEL grant project; as TEL timelines require.
  
  
• University College and the Minnesota Extension Service. Serve on the University College Academic Council; as appointed. Serve on the University College Distance Education Planning Committee; as appointed. Establish a quarterly joint meeting schedule with unit representatives to cover student and faculty support issues (this may be in addition to in-service initiatives outlined in the Awareness program area).
  
  
• Minnesota Virtual University. Advise on MnVU-library issues through membership on the MnVU Library Task Force; as MnVU timelines require.
  
  
• University of Minnesota-Rochester. Contribute to the planning and development of library support for distance learners receiving courses at or through UM-Rochester.