Virtual environment for integration between Distance Education and University Libraries of the institutions participating in the open university of Brazil

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The development of Distance Education in Higher Education Institutions requires a series of adaptations to this educational modality, which also affects university libraries as information support units for teaching, research and extension. Distance learning becomes the target audience of these units, requiring products and services, especially technological ones, to support the teaching-learning process.

Objective:

To identify actions aimed at providing environments/platforms for distance learning services in libraries of institutions that are part of the Open University of Brazil. Methodology: This is a descriptive study with a qualitative and quantitative approach. The institutions were consulted through the SisUAB system, and data were collected by applying an online questionnaire with library managers of these institutions.

Results:

It can be seen that out of the 76 responding institutions, only three identified integration actions through an environment/platform for distance learning, and the service to this public is mostly centered on making virtual libraries and databases available. What stands out is the professionals' view that there is no need for differentiated services for distance and face-to-face audiences, with the maxim that all services are available to all audiences.

Conclusion:

The initiatives are few in relation to the universe of institutions investigated, so that actions to mitigate this information gap need to be increased and made more effective.

KEYWORDS
University library; Distance education; Information services; Information systems