The Impact of Distance Learning Library Services Experience on Practitioners' Career Paths

Abstract

This paper looks at the career experiences of distance learning librarianship practitioners who either attended or presented at one of the first ten Off-Campus Library Services conferences. This is a report on the first phase of the investigation, which utilized a paper survey to identify career patterns and trends. The respondents provided information about distance learning activities along with other library experiences. From a total of 500 initial mailed surveys, the researchers received nearly 200 responses. The second phase of this project, reported on at the 2004 Conference, involves personal contacts with selected respondents.

Key Words:

• Library services
• distance learners
• library careers