A new report has just been released by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). Here’s the press release:
LIBRARIES TO PLAY A KEY ROLE IN E-LEARNING
OTTAWA December 19, 2005 – The use of electronic learning in Canadian
institutions has increased by as much as 30% over the past five years –
and library participation has kept pace.In 2002–2003 over 330,000 students at CARL institutions took advantage
of instruction in using library online resources. Academic librarians,
faculty and staff are providing direct access to thousands of online
journals and databases and are increasingly integrating electronic
library resources and learning techniques into online courses.These are among the conclusions of Libraries and E-Learning – Final
Report of the CARL E-Learning Working Group. The Report was commissioned
by the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL) to investigate
the role of libraries in e-learning and to explore the further potential
for CARL and CARL members in e-learning.The Report finds that libraries’ ‘pull’ service model agrees well with
progressive higher education teaching and learning models. However,
although library staff work closely with faculty at the local level on
course design and content, librarians have not yet assumed these
responsibilities in broader online learning policy or Learning
Management System design.The Report calls for CARL and CARL libraries to act at the
institutional, national and international level to ensure that library
services and resources are integrated into learning management systems,
and that library expertise benefits teachers and learners directly. It
recommends that librarians take the lead in the consolidation of
Learning Object Repository management and licensing practices, in order
to bring an orderly approach to management and use of shared
instructional across Canada.“Our business is information acquisition and dissemination,” stated
Lynn Copeland, Chair of the CARL E-Learning Working Group. “Libraries
are critical in helping design the systems and services that serve the
needs of information seekers and in integrating them into the learner’s
online world.”“Academic libraries are continually working to identify value-added
resources for their institutions.” says John Teskey, CARL President.
“This report clearly identifies some of the key areas where libraries
can partner within the Academy to provide an enhanced learning
environment for our students”.Libraries and E-Learning – Final Report of the CARL E-Learning Working
Group is available at http://www.carl-abrc.ca/new/new-e.html
CARL is the leadership organization for the Canadian research library
community. The Association’s members are the 27 major academic research
libraries across Canada and Library and Archives Canada, the Canada
Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (CISTI) and the
Library of Parliament.
I haven’t read the full report yet (it’s only 23 pages, but my printer’s down right now)