Developing Competencies of Library & Information Professionals: The Foundations For Dynamic Information Services To Distance Learners:- Juliet Onuoha

Abstract

Distance education has been moving very fast from correspondence education to online education or Webbaseddeliveryofeducation. Learning in the 2D' century is significantly differentfrom learning in the previous years. Open and Distance Learning has emerged as a popular approach for ensuring access, equity and quality education in a cost effective manner. Provision of library and information services is one ofthe essential support systems involved in any distance education program. The traditional roles of Information professional have changed with the advances in Information and Communication Technologies. They are expected to be academics of higher order with competence to work in a hypertext, networked, digital environment. Hence, the information professionals shouldhave the necessaryskillsthatwillhelp them cope better in their services to distance learners in this digitizedworld. This study tends to examine holistically the tenets ofdistance learningandthe core competences oflibrariansforprovision ofeffective library services to distance learnersin a digitizedenvironment.