Links for Further Research

Distance Learning

Distance learning offers a convenient way for library staff to meet certification requirements and to acquire new knowledge and develop new skills. Opportunities for distance learning/education change frequently, but the information resources below are a beginning.

Bluegrass Community & Technical College and the Kentucky Virtual Campus

Bluegrass Community & Technical College in partnership with the Kentucky Virtual Campus offers online undergraduate credit courses in library science designed for workplace distance learnersl These courses may be used in meeting the requireents for the public library certificates of Library Experience and Paraprofessional. BCTC offers an 18-credit-hour academic certificate in Library Information Technology and the associate of applied science degree in Information Management & Design.

Further information on BCTC can be found online at http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/ Specific information on the Library Information Technology courses can be found at http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/LB/LIT

Graduate Library and Information Science Distance Education Information Resource

Information on careers and education is available at http://www.ala.org/ala/education/accredprograms/accreditedprograms.htm. In addition to the searchable directory, a section, Guidelines for Choosing a Master’s Program in Library and Information Studies, provides background on accreditation, admission requirements, curriculum, specialization, financial aid and placement services. The American Library Association is the official organization which grants accreditation to institutions awarding graduate degrees for the library profession. Programs are reviewed periodically. Conditional accreditation is a status assigned to a program that must makes changes to comply with the 1992 Standards for Accreditation of Master’s Programs in Library and Information Studies to enable accreditation beyond the date specified by the Committee of Accreditation. Please note, the programs with conditional accreditation are fully accredited under the standards.

The ALA website provides links to a directory of programs in the United States and Canada, nationally recognized NCATE-AASL reviewed and approved school media education programs, and foreign credentials/degrees evaluation assistance for job seekers and employers. Each entry in the directory includes contact information, the name of the accredited program, date through which it is accredited, and the distance education opportunities. Distance learning/education includes traditional extension with faculty on-site, through interactive video, the Internet, or other technologies. Students should verify with the program the extent to which a full master’s program can be completed off-site. Distance education offerings change frequently, so prospective students should inquire with the program for the most current information.

As of March 2005 ten universities have ALA accredited master’s degree programs that can be taken completely 100% online. They are:

• Clarion University of Pennsylvania
• Drexel University
• Florida State University
• North Carolina Central University
• Southern Connecticut State University
• Texas Woman’s University (conditional)
• University of Puerto Rico
• University of South Carolina
• University of Southern Mississippi (conditional)
• University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee