Rachel Wedeward

Librarian Interview Part Two

Library User Instruction

Introduction
Distance education gives public libraries opportunity to enhance the mission of public
service to evolve in the latest advancements in technology. As online education and hybrid
education become more ubiquitous, all public service librarians need to be able to work with
online and eld-based students. However, it is still important to also have a librarian who
advocates for on-line and eld-based students. Off-campus students tend to be invisible,
particularly in institutions with a traditional student body on campus, and the distance students
need to have someone represent their perspectives in the library when it comes to both services
and library policies1.
Distance education is still a continuing trend that has been traditionally a model used for
academic libraries. Distance education itself is not a new concept in education or instruction.
Distance education got established with the creation of the first educational radio licensure by
the Latter Day Saints University in 1921. Eventually, distance education evolved in the 1950s
through the new age of television. The link between education and technology growth has
always been very strong and very consistent even in the earliest technology developments2.
Following the television development in 1963, the Association of College and Research
Libraries (ACRL) began establishing the Guidelines for Library Services to Extension Students34
These guidelines created a mainstream support for distance learners in libraries. However,
despite these earlier establishments of distance education, both academic and public libraries
have struggled to maintain distance education services in their respective institutions.
1 Fritts, J., & Casey, A. M. (2010). Who Trains Distance Librarians? A Study of the Training and Development Needs
of Distance Learning Librarians. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 625.

2 Fritts, J., & Casey, A. M. (2010). Who Trains Distance Librarians? A Study of the Training and Development Needs
of Distance Learning Librarians. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 617-618

3 Fritts, J., & Casey, A. M. (2010). Who Trains Distance Librarians? A Study of the Training and Development Needs
of Distance Learning Librarians. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 618.

4 Standards for Distance Learning Library Services. (2008, July 1). Retrieved May 31, 2015, from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/guidelinesdistancelearning

Rachel Wedeward
Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
Ultimately, distance education should be a collaborative effort between academic and public
libraries, since there is a lack of consistent assessment between the two institutions, lack of
training of librarians on how to facilitate distance education, and a lack of definition for distance
education, which has resulted in few public libraries facilitating this form of learning.

Literature Review
Defining Distance Education
The literature for distance education in libraries has mostly focused on academic
libraries. In some academic libraries, distance education has not been clearly defined.
University of Toledo Librarian, Mark Horan writes that in the field, terms such as tertiary
education and post-secondary education are used. Despite being so similar, Horan states that
these have slightly different meanings. Post secondary education refers to education in an
accredited two year or four year university. While, tertiary education is also education at a
university, but not necessarily a two year or a four year university. As for distance education, this
is referred to as a form of post secondary education, but without the education going towards a
form of a university degree5.
However, the term provided for distance education is not always applicable. In many
distance education programs in academic libraries, this form of education is going towards a
university degree. According to the article, Career Paths of Distance Education Librarians: A
Profile of Current Practitioners Subscribed to the OFFCAMP Listserv, Brigham Young
University Assessment Librarian, Allyson Washburn writes that more institutions are offering
courses and degrees via distance education. In 2000-01, 56% of all postsecondary institutions
offered distance-education courses (up from 34% three years earlier). . . . Course enrollments in
distance education have increased as well . . . increasing from 1.7 million to 3.1 million between

5 Horan, M. m. (2014). No Learner Too Far: A Comparative Study of the Development of Guidelines for Distance
Education Library Services in Australia. Australian Academic & Research Libraries, 45(1), 19-20.

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Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
1997-98 and 2000-016. Prior to the development of online distance education, statistics showed
significant difference in distance education in different types of academic and public libraries.
According to The Library Research Service in 1998, public libraries were considered second
overall as distance education sites. As for academic libraries, public four year institutions were
more likely to make library resources available to distance education students, while private four
year institutions were less likely to provide resources for distance learners. This study also
found that two year public community colleges were the least likely to provide any type of library
resources to distant learner7With the role of education changing into online accessibility, it is
critical for academic librarians to define the distance education services their libraries offer and
make these services consistent no matter what type of university the library is in.
Training Distance Education Librarians
As a result of the interchanging of definitions, and ultimately the role of education
changing into a digital format, distance education librarians have difficulty defining what role is
of a distance education librarian. According to the article, Who Trains Distance Librarians? A
Study of the Training and Development Needs of Distance Learning Librarians Benedictine
Universitys University Librarian Jack Fritts and Director of the Hunt Library at Embry-Riddle
Aeronautical University Anne Marie Casey researched that training distance education librarians
is not just related to the role of distance education. Training in some academic libraries have
more complexity, while others throw librarians right into the work making it difficult to create
consistent library work8. However, it could also be argued that with sometimes training in the
role of a distance learning librarian begins before the first library job. University of Oregon Law
6 Washburn, A. (2006). Career Paths of Distance Education Librarians: A Profile of Current Practitioners Subscribed
to the OFFCAMP Listserv. Journal Of Library Administration, 45(3/4), 483-509.

7 The Role of Academic and Public Libraries in Distance Education. (1998, January 14). Retrieved May 31, 2015,
from http://www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/138DIST.PDF

8 Fritts, J., & Casey, A. M. (2010). Who Trains Distance Librarians? A Study of the Training and Development Needs
of Distance Learning Librarians. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6), 619.

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Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
Collections Librarian Elizabeth Breakstone writes about the need to develop graduate student in
distance education methods. Breakstone states that distance education creates a challenge for
public service librarians conducting outreach to distance learning graduate students9. In many
cases, graduate distance learning students tended to be older than the average student.
Breakstone emphasizes in the article that the librarian should bring the library to the user, and
conduct as if the student was on campus10.
Assessing Distance Education
Aside from training inconsistencies, the literature also clearly stated inconsistencies in
assessing distance education in both academic and public libraries. University of Buffalo
Assistant Professor Larry Nash White analyzes literature on the assessment of distance
education. According to White, there is a contrast between the assessment of distance
education in both academic and public libraries. When assessing distance education, academic
libraries assess the service on outcomes and effectiveness. While public libraries assess
distance education on efficiency11. White, argues that this is a result that the information
provided and the analysis is ultimately limited in scope and effectiveness to library
organizational leaders in determining or reporting financial impact or value for strategic or long
term planning. Another inconsistency in the research of assessment in distance education is
that libraries use the same limited number of assessment and assessment planning activities
over a period of time. White argues that that use of the same material has resulted in very little
innovation in the library profession in the role of assessment12.

9 Breakstone, E. (2007). Graduate Student 2.0: Distance Education. Public Services Quarterly, 3(3/4), 227-231
10 Breakstone, E. (2007). Graduate Student 2.0: Distance Education. Public Services Quarterly, 3(3/4), 227-231
11 White, L. N. (2010). Assessment Planning for Distance Education Library Services: Strategic Roadmaps for
Determining and Reporting Organizational Performance and Value. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(7/8), 10171026.

12 White, L. N. (2010). Assessment Planning for Distance Education Library Services: Strategic Roadmaps for
Determining and Reporting Organizational Performance and Value. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(7/8), 10171026.

Rachel Wedeward
Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
In another article published by White entitled, Aligning Assessment to Organizational
Performance in Distance Education Service Delivery, research is conducted on the solution to
these problems in assessment in distance education. White argues that in many libraries, there
are a number of environmental factors that impact assessment in distance education. The first
factor that impacts the assessment is the mission or the scope of the library. White suggests
widening the scope, mission, and geographic area to increase the diversity of user and needs.
Second, factor is the resources. The reduction of resources results in competing stakeholders
with increasing service needs, so libraries should always provide as many resources as needed.
Third factor is the participants and the stakeholders. Stakeholders are wanting increased
evidence, service, value, and wanting this from a larger distance from the library. Final factor, is
the technology. Creating faster and wider service areas for both need and performance will
ultimately help make the assessment more dynamic13.
Public Libraries and Distance Education
When it comes to distance education, public libraries particularly play a large role for the
distance learner. Even with academic libraries at the forefront of distance education, public
libraries are often the face of the library that many of the distance learners see first14. Tipton
County Public Library librarian, Jason Fields offers methods for how public libraries can better
promote distance education. First suggestion is to promote the library services that appeal most
to distant learners. These services can include, interlibrary loan, test proctoring, and free
internet. Second, is to incorporate content for distance learners into existing programs. Fields
suggests offering public programs for internet searching, and including information on how to
search for materials such as magazine articles or business and government information. Third,
immersion into a distance learning experience. By becoming a distance learner, it maybe easier
13 White, L. N. (2010). Aligning Assessment to Organizational Performance in Distance Education Service Delivery.
Journal Of Library Administration, 50(7/8), 997-1016.

14 Fields, J. A., jason.librarian@gmail.com. (2009). Serving Distance Learners: A Few Tips for Public Librarians.
Indiana Libraries, 28(3), 78.

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Library User Instruction
to understand the needs of a distance learner. Fields offers the example of librarians
participating in webinars as an immersion option. Finally, continually network with academic
colleagues15.
Aside from the research of Jason Fields, public librarians have also innovated in
distance education through the establishment of finance education programs. American Library
Association Project Director Margaret Monsour discusses a collaborative effort between the
American Library Association, Reference and User Services Association and the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority (FIRA) Investor Education Foundation to help public libraries meet
the need for unbiased financial education and information nationwide16. Besides, innovative
national programming, reference staff have taken initiative to market at a personal level, in order
to reach the users. In the article, Marketing Gets Personal: Promoting Reference Staff to Reach
Users, DePaul University librarians Brent Nunn and Elizabeth Ruane explore how librarians are
marketing effectively in order to reach readership. Librarians are using new and on-going
reference services as a way to increase usage from distance learners. These ventures have
included new research consultation services, on-call reference, and virtual reference17.
Example Public Libraries in Distance Education
Colorado Libraries
In terms of any particular public library using distance education as part of enhancing the
service of the community, Colorado libraries have stood out in the literature as being in the
forefront of bringing distance education as a focal point in the library. Librarian Bridget Tetteh
discusses public library outreach services to Africans in the Colorado community. The African
community in the Colorado area is made up of people from 53 African countries with varied
15 Fields, J. A., jason.librarian@gmail.com. (2009). Serving Distance Learners: A Few Tips for Public Librarians.
Indiana Libraries, 28(3), 78.

16 Monsour, M. m. (2012). Libraries Innovate. Public Libraries, 51(2), 36-43.

17 Nunn, B. b., & Ruane, E. (2012). Marketing Gets Personal: Promoting Reference Staff to Reach Users. Journal
Of Library Administration, 52(6/7), 572.

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Library User Instruction
cultures and languages. Within the Colorado community, African immigrants are divided into
groups by country origin. For many African libraries, there are only closed stacks and no
electronic resources. In a majority of cases, the African immigrants that are coming to Colorado
are learning English as a second, third or fourth language.
As a result of analyzing the community of African immigrant population in Colorado,
Tetteh offers recommendations for public libraries to take in order to accommodate potential
learning barriers or disadvantages. Tetteh suggests signs, displays and greetings in native
languages as a start. Following this, public libraries will need to be more proactive of public
library. Offering library brochures in native African language and the promotion of services in
local African restaurants, shops and churches are a few ways to reach out to distance
learners18. For some Colorado librarians, part of the distance learning experience is being
immersed into the respective cultures itself as a form of building connections. Regis University
Dean of the Library Janet Lee, discusses traveling to Ethiopia as a youth services librarian. Lee
first traveled to Ethipoia 35 years as part of Peace Corps efforts and felt a strong connection to
return. After meeting another MLIS student who ran a number of Ethiopian libraries, Lee
returned to the country in 2009 to volunteer in the local public libraries. Showing a strong need
for more books in many of the Ethiopian libraries, Lee put out a call across the state of Colorado
for book donations. This networking ultimately resulted in over 10,000 book donations, along
with an online public access catalog being established. These generous donations would result
in the opening of the Segenet Children and Youth Library in 201019.

Illinois Libraries
In addition to Colorado, Illinois has made improvements to distance education. Head Librarian
and Director of International Programs for the Illinois Fire Service Institute, Lian Ruan discusses
18 Tetteh, B. (2011). Serving African Immigrants in Colorado Public Libraries. Colorado Libraries, 35(4), 1-2.
19 Lee, J. (2011). 8,000 Books Ethiopia Bound: The Colorado Connection. Colorado Libraries, 35(3), 1-5.

Rachel Wedeward
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Library User Instruction
the establishment of a special library of internet reference services to support firefighter distance
learners at the University of Illinois Fire Service Institutes online Firefighter II certification
program. The certification program was the first established in the nation, so Ruan was given
the challenge of putting such services together from scratch. Ruan started by understanding the
target audience in need of servicing. Ruan did so by looking at the statistics from the fire
institute as well as the amount of firefighters in the state of Illinois. Following this, Ruan used the
ACRL Guide for Distance Learning to provide online resources that would prevent any physical
barriers for the firefighters being able to access it. As a result of establishing a guide for online
learning, Ruan and the certification program received grant money from the 2001 Library
Services Technical Act sponsored from the Illinois State Library20.

Research Questions
What kinds of distance education methods do public libraries implement?
How can public libraries apply methods of distance education from higher education into their
libraries?
Are higher education distance education methods applicable to a public library setting?
Does distance education meet the demand for modernizing libraries?

Interview Approach and Procedures

Both interviewees were given the questions prior to the interview to ensure consistency and
clarity in answers. Both interviewees were notified that the paper and research would be sent to
them to ensure accuracy and collaboration of information.

Profile of Interviewees and Organization

20 Ruan, L. (2004). Designing and Developing Internet Reference Services to Support Firefighter Distance Learners
in Illinois. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 9(1/2), 150-153. http://doi.org/10.1300/J136v09n0111

Rachel Wedeward
Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
For this research, two public library distance education specialists were interviewed. The
first person interviewed was Sarah Anne McLaughlin Brewer21. Brewer is currently attending
San Jose State University for a Masters in Library and Information Science. Besides, attending
San Jose State, Brewer works as a library assistant for the Chattanooga Public Library. As a
library assistant, Brewer provides library support at the reference desk, on the phone, and
facilitates the high school online program offered by the library, and additionally offers support
for the high school application and scholarship application assistance.
Chattanooga Public Library is located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Chattanooga
Public Library was first established as a Carnegie Library in 1905. The main library of
Chattanooga has eventually moved to its current location in 1976, and has four branches
overall. The mission of the Chattanooga Public Library is to be the communitys catalyst for
lifelong learning2223. Chattanooga fulfills this mission statement by offering a Career Online High
School for its patrons. Offering the career online high school, a partnership with Gale/Cengage
Learning started with the librarys notice of the ever changing resources in the Chattanooga
community. According to Brewer, the city of Chattanooga has a higher percentage of high
school dropouts than the national average24. So, it was a natural fit for Chattanooga to stay
cutting edge and offer something so unique and needed for the community.
The second interviewee is Beth Gaff25. Gaff is the Media Literacy Coordinator and
Technology Trainer for the Peabody Public Library in Columbus City, Indiana. Gaff has worked

21 McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education Interview [Telephone
interview].

22 About the Library. Chattanooga Public Library.(n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from
http://chattlibrary.org/about

23 McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education Interview [Telephone
interview].

24 McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education Interview [Telephone
interview].

25 Gaff, B. (2015, June 29). Peabody Public Library Distance Education Interview [Personal interview].

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at Peabody Public Library for 10 years and has an Associates Degree in Library Science. In the
role as the Media Literacy Coordinator, Gaff offers one on one support to patrons in use of
technology devices. Gaff also creates online computer tutorials through a YouTube channel and
class time in the library computer lab, but Gaff states that patrons are more interested in
individual appointment times. Peabody Public was first established in 1901 through the
philanthropic contributions of Leigh Smith J. Hunt. Hunt offered support for the public library for
the benefit of Whitley County. Years later in 1999, a new 27,500 square foot facility was built
along Highway 205. The building sits on 14 acres that includes a wetland area that is continually
used for education purposes. The mission of the Peabody Public Library is to serve all
individuals and organizations as a pathway to learning, culture and entertainment2627. Peabody
Public Library services almost 16,000 residents in the communities of Columbia City, Columbia
Township and the taxing districts of Thorncreek Township28. Peabody Public Library fulfills this
mission through partnerships with Huntington University and the Whitley County Literacy
Council for Task Testings, online computer skill tutorials, and test proctoring.
Findings
The findings from both libraries proved to be a worthy comparison that show distance education
in public libraries is every growing in the field of librarianship. First comparison is how each
library defines distance education. In Chattanooga, Brewer stated that distance education is
learning remotely, added flexibility and more opportunity29. However at Peabody, Gaff states

26 Gaff, B. (2015, June 29). Peabody Public Library Distance Education Interview [Personal interview].
27 Help me. Peabody Public Library. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from
http://www.ppl.lib.in.us/About/

28 Help me. Peabody Public Library. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from
http://www.ppl.lib.in.us/About/

29 McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education Interview [Telephone
interview].

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that distance education is Furthering your education in anyway you can. Distance education
makes it to get an education and raise your family30.
Second comparison worth noting between both public libraries is that there was no collaboration
with school or academic libraries in efforts to further distance education. However, both public
libraries have ensured using outreach and marketing to promote respective distance education
services. At Chattanooga, marketing has been conducted both on the website and local media
outlets31. As for Peabody, Gaff advertises test proctoring and online computer classes. and
marketing the partnership with Huntington University. In terms of assessing distance education
practices, each library looks into consideration the servicing community to continually modify if
these services work. At Peabody, Gaff uses the YouTube analytics to see the viewership of
online classes. As for Chattanooga, Brewer stated that library administration look at the service
on a cost benefit analysis. Besides the cost benefit analysis, Brewer believes that staff use of
the Cengage/Gale online high school has proved its success within the library. Finally, both
public libraries have strong emphasis for distance and goals for improving on both remarkable
services for very different communities. At Peabody, Gaff stated that Overall, it is going to be
huge, people will want to do services from one location. Eventually, physical books will be
obsolete. Its just happening very slowly. Libraries are going to be a demand, as a learning
place. They expect to be smarter then when they came in. Make sure to have people that are
knowledgeable32. As for Chattanooga, Brewer stated that Public libraries are the only
organization out there right now for helping in technology gap. We definitely need to be offering
education services to exist in this technology services33.

30 Gaff, B. (2015, June 29). Peabody Public Library Distance Education Interview [Personal interview].
31 Gaff, B. (n.d.). Distance Learning. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from
http://www.ppl.lib.in.us/Services/distance_learning.html

32 Gaff, B. (2015, June 29). Peabody Public Library Distance Education Interview [Personal interview].
33 McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education Interview [Telephone
interview].

Rachel Wedeward
Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
Discussion
The research questions were developed as a result of the argument made and the resources
found on the argument. As a library student specializing in the public libraries, the focus of this
research should stay on public libraries. The first question is crucial to the argument since it
focuses on an area that public libraries need to address. Even though this practice has
generally been done by academic libraries, in an age of digital technology it is critical for public
libraries to evaluate how to instruct user effectively in order to retain users. The second question
is to look at what public libraries can do to apply methods of learning for distance education.
The literature of Colorado libraries addresses this question somewhat, but it is very considerably
open ended since every public library has a different audience to service to and different in
community partners to connect with.
While technology is continuing to evolve, libraries should the best of what is capable to
evolve too. Distance education is in most cases virtual, so perhaps both academic and public
libraries could look at distance education as form of building new technological and virtual
opportunities for users. Finally, earlier literature addressed significant gaps in defining what
distance education is. Although the term itself is vague, it is critical for both academic and public
libraries to create a collaborative and concise definition to not help librarians how to serve
distance education effectively, and to meet the demand for users in the modern technology era.

Bibliography

Rachel Wedeward
Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
About the Library. Chattanooga Public Library.(n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from
http://chattlibrary.org/about.
Breakstone, E. (2007). Graduate Student 2.0: Distance Education. Public Services Quarterly,
3(3/4), 227-231
Fritts, J., & Casey, A. M. (2010). Who Trains Distance Librarians? A Study of the Training and
Development Needs of Distance Learning Librarians. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(5/6),
617-627.
Fields, J. A., jason.librarian@gmail.com. (2009). Serving Distance Learners: A Few Tips for
Public Librarians. Indiana Libraries, 28(3), 78.
Gaff, B. (n.d.). Distance Learning. Retrieved July 16, 2015, from
http://www.ppl.lib.in.us/Services/distance_learning.html
Gaff, B. (2015, June 29). Peabody Public Library Distance Education Interview [Personal
interview].
Help me. Peabody Public Library. (n.d.). Retrieved July 2, 2015, from
http://www.ppl.lib.in.us/About/.
Horan, M. m. (2014). No Learner Too Far: A Comparative Study of the Development of
Guidelines for Distance Education Library Services in Australia. Australian Academic &
Research Libraries, 45(1), 19-34.

Lee, J. (2011). 8,000 Books Ethiopia Bound: The Colorado Connection. Colorado Libraries,
35(3), 1-11.
Monsour, M. m. (2012). Libraries Innovate. Public Libraries, 51(2), 36-43.
McLaughlin Brewer, S. (2015, June 23). Chattanooga Public Library Distance Education
Interview [Telephone interview].
Nunn, B. b., & Ruane, E. (2012). Marketing Gets Personal: Promoting Reference Staff to Reach
Users. Journal Of Library Administration, 52(6/7), 571-580.
Ruan, L. (2004). Designing and Developing Internet Reference Services to Support Firefighter
Distance Learners in Illinois. Internet Reference Services Quarterly, 9(1/2), 147172.
http://doi.org/10.1300/J136v09n0111

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Librarian Interview Part Two
Library User Instruction
Standards for Distance Learning Library Services. (2008, July 1). Retrieved May 31, 2015, from
http://www.ala.org/acrl/standards/guidelinesdistancelearning
Tetteh, B. (2011). Serving African Immigrants in Colorado Public Libraries. Colorado Libraries,
35(4), 1-5.
The Role of Academic and Public Libraries in Distance Education. (1998, January 14).
Retrieved May 31, 2015, from http://www.lrs.org/documents/fastfacts/138DIST.PDF
Washburn, A. (2006). Career Paths of Distance Education Librarians: A Profile of Current
Practitioners Subscribed to the OFFCAMP Listserv. Journal Of Library Administration, 45(3/4),
483-509.
White, L. N. (2010). Aligning Assessment to Organizational Performance in Distance Education
Service Delivery. Journal Of Library Administration, 50(7/8), 997-1016.
White, L. N. (2010). Assessment Planning for Distance Education Library Services: Strategic
Roadmaps for Determining and Reporting Organizational Performance and Value. Journal Of
Library Administration, 50(7/8), 1017-1026.