S2.1.2

=Course documentation describes the available library facilities. =

Evidence
Access to library services is as much a matter of literacy as it is one of resources and services: ‘The instilling of lifelong learning skills through general bibliographic and information literacy instruction in academic libraries is a primary outcome of higher education. Such preparation and measurement of its outcomes are of equal necessity for the distance learning community as for those on the traditional campus’ (American Library Association, 2004, Philosophy ¶ 2). The ALA’s philosophical precepts also declare that e-learning library services must be regarded as additional to on-campus services, and that ‘[s]pecial funding arrangements, proactive planning, and promotion are necessary to deliver equivalent library services and to achieve equivalent results in teaching and learning, and generally to maintain quality in distance learning programs’ (American Library Association, 2004, Philosophy ¶ 3). In addition to these considerations, the ALA advises that library facilities, resources, and services also need to include assistance and instruction for users to ensure optimum access and efficiency.

Resources
The primary focus for institutions, according to (SIEL draft March 2010) is to anticipate the needs of the students. Improving post-secondary student e-learning and retention involves putting mechanisms in place to assist with communicating student and institutional expectations prior to the student’s first e-learning experience. Understanding best practice for student induction, undertaking self-assessment to evaluate institutional e-learning induction practices, and preparing first-year students for e-learning all during the early weeks of their first course. The SIEL report details in a matrix how all this can be done.

Evidence of capability in this practice is seen through the provision of a full range of library facilities and associated support and training information to assist students with their use. Information on using these services is provided both through the central library website as well as directly within courses where it is customized to reflect the needs of the particular discipline and learning outcomes