Creating a Successful Information Literacy Program for Distance Students

Abstract

With the rapid increase in the number of distance students coupled with the increasing number of traditional students seeking information online, academic librarians are faced with the challenge of teaching information literacy to students that may never walk into the physical library. In order to reach the goal of creating life-long learners, academic librarians must be creative in their initiatives to teach this growing population of students. It is imperative that librarians understand the necessity of teaching distance students, utilize the principles of learning, do the necessary research, collaborate with faculty, market their products, understand the trends, find their niche, and evaluate their programs if they want to succeed in the endeavor to teach information literacy to all students.