The role of library media services in the University Distance and Distributed Education
| Date | 01 July 2006 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120610702378 |
| Published date | 01 July 2006 |
| Pages | 379-389 |
| Author | Fang Gu |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science |
The role of library media services
in the University Distance and
Distributed Education
Fang Gu
Library Media Center, Sacramento Library, California State University,
Sacramento, California, USA
Abstract
Purpose – This article aims to outline the functions and activities performed by California State
University, Sacramento Library Media Center in the University Distance and Distributed Education
(DDE) program, with an emphasis on the unique role of the library media services in partnership with
other campus units in the system-wide integrative DDE service.
Design/methodology/approach – The article observes and examines the effectiveness of the
library media services through the framework functions of the University DDE Program.
Findings – The article finds that faculty and librarians may share benefits of information resources
and university technologies through a well-organized collaboration program in an environment of
learner-centered service.
Originality/value – This paper highlights the library cooperative efforts in expanding access to
library media resources in serving DDE educators and students, and the exceptional role of the library
media services in collaboration with other campus units in handling consistent change, sharing fund
and achieving successful alliance in the University Distance and Distributed Education program.
Keywords Libraries, Information services, Distance learning, Education
Paper type Case study
Introduction
California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), known as the capital state university,
established in 1947, is presently the seventh largest university in the 23 campuses of
California State University (CSU) System. It has approximately 28,000 students in 60
undergraduate and 40 graduate programs, including credential and joint doctoral
programs. The Distance and Distributed Education (DDE) service was established to
serve CSUS students in 1985 when the first Instructional Television Fixed Service
(ITFS) course was transmitted to local area hospitals. For more than 20 years, CSUS
has utilized proven and emerging technologies to offer University courses and
programs to learners located outside the physical boundaries of the Sacramento
campus (DDE in CSUS, 2006).
DDE in CSUS, according to the policy approved by the CSUS Faculty Senate in
2001, is defined as a formal educational process in which the majority (50 percent or
more) of instruction takes place when the professor and students are not in the
same place at the same time. Instead, the interaction between professor and students
is mediated using audio, video and/or computer technologies. The DDE in CSUS
brochure states that although closely and often used interchangeabley, DDE
represents different m odels of education. Dist ance education refers to the
non-traditional form of education in which the teacher and student are not
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
Library media
services
379
Received 20 April 2006
Revised 10 June 2006
Accepted 15 June 2006
Library Management
Vol. 27 No. 6/7, 2006
pp. 379-389
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/01435120610702378
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