Abstract
As asynchronous learning becomes the norm throughout academia, changes are taking place in campus information systems. Academic libraries, as the entity responsible for serving the information needs of the university, have little choice but to change dramatically. In fact, academic libraries have a history of being aggressive in adapting state-of-the-art technologies. One can point to decades-long involvement with the development of online catalogs and the use of shared cataloging utilities. Libraries continue to serve academic teaching and learning by taking on new roles, revising traditional services, and time and space constraints.Libraries have, however, been slower to adjust organizational structures and processes to leverage the potential of technology. Replies to a recent survey of Association of Research Libraries (ARL) indicate that change in the responding libraries at this time is incremental rather than dramatic. Patterns are emerging, however, relative to resource reallocation and the formation of partnerships with other university units that reflect new priorities.This article describes two examples of innovative information delivery initiatives. VIVA, the Virtual Library of Virginia, was proposed by the state’s Library Advisory Council in 1993 to encourage collaboration among the Commonwealth’s institutions of higher education and to support the electronic dissemination of information. Academic libraries are also leading the way by providing new and unique sources of online information such as Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs), by developing electronic submissions, online archiving, and Web access, as well as bringing to the forefront discussions about issues such as copyright and publishers’ control of academic publications. Network-based access to information resources such as these is changing higher education, and the opportunities offered by asynchronous learning networks are challenging libraries to adjust their policies, processes, and services.
Highlights
Libraries have, been slower to adjust organizational structures and processes to leverage the potential of technology
Computing and telecommunications technologies are perceived by many to have the potential to deliver asynchronous instruction that will enable higher education to respond to its critics, meet assessment requirements, and garner sufficient revenue to remain viable in a new century
In response to user needs and demands coupled with changing computer technologies, academic libraries have moved beyond automated access tools
Summary
In recent times most institutions of higher education have had to reconsider policies and procedures in the face of closer scrutiny. Traditions such as tenure, shared governance, and the focus on conventional degree programs are being challenged and modified as a result of pressure from governing boards and state legislators. Innovators throughout the university, including those in the library, have developed new processes that use the network to provide access to extended campus learners. Through the use of technology during the ten years, Virginia Tech is afforded as President Torgersen stated “enormous opportunities” while at the same time the members of the university community are confronted with tremendous challenges. This article describes just two of the opportunities as they relate to libraries
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