Library Policies

Milne Library endorses the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) guidelines for distance learners:

"Members of the distance learning community are entitled to library services and resources equivalent to those provided for students and faculty in traditional campus settings"

Overview

Milne Library is committed to providing equivalent library services and resources for distance learners whenever feasible. Access to information about library services and electronic resources (including full-text databases) is available from the Milne Library web site. Distance learners are encouraged to visit either Milne Library or a college research library near their home for extensive library research because it is simply not feasible to duplicate the resources of a college research library online. College reference librarians are able to help answer questions, develop search strategies, and identify both print and online resources.

Eligibility for Distance Learner Services

All non-residential students enrolled in distance education SUNY Oneonta courses are eligible for library support services. Distance learner services are not available to students who take one or more courses on the SUNY Oneonta campus.

Faculty who teach distance learning courses, and who are not simultaneously teaching a course or courses on the Oneonta campus, are eligible for distance learning services.

Distance Learning Librarian

Milne Library will name one person as the Distance Learning Librarian. The Distance Learning Librarian will contact the Division of Graduate Study, Continuing Education, and Summer Sessions at the beginning of each semester to obtain a list of all distance learning courses being offered. The Distance Learning Librarian will provide a copy of this list to the Milne Library Circulation Department who will use the list to verify eligibility for special services. The distance learning Librarian will contact all faculty teaching distance learning courses and advise them of what library services are available. The Distance Learning Librarian will respond to both telephone and e-mail questions from distance learners and will refer them to the appropriate person. The distance learning Librarian will coordinate the development of information packets to be distributed to distance learners upon enrollment in either on-line courses or courses at a remote campus that utilize library resources. These packets may differ in content, but will include information on library services and resources available to distance learners. The Distance Learning Librarian will arrange for mailing reasonable amounts of print documentation on the use of databases to distance learners.

Promotion of Distance Learning Services

Informational sessions for faculty will be available at least once a semester if needed.

The library will utilize the Milne Library web site to provide distance learners information on library resources and services.

Reference/Instruction Services

The Reference Department will answer brief, factual questions via both telephone and e-mail.

The library will provide library instruction in a format that is accessible to distance learners (such as web-based or video) when practical.

Computer Support Services for Distance Learners

Distance learning students should have access to the same web-based databases as on-campus students whenever possible.

The student is ultimately responsible for assuring that his/her computer has any special browsers, plug-ins, or software installed. The SUNY Oneonta Help Desk is available to answer any questions. The Milne Library web site will provide links to web sites where plug-ins can be downloaded when appropriate.

Circulation

Distance learners do not need to come to campus to obtain borrowing privileges for materials owned by Milne Library. Circulation staff will verify student registration. Distance learners can renew books via telephone.

Distance learning students can request books by submitting an electronic request form available from the Milne Library web site. Some materials are unavailable for shipping to distance learners because of size, format, or condition. Students can request copies of articles or book chapters through the ILLiad interlibrary loan system. In most cases, delivery will be electronic.

Students are responsible for returning library materials safely and promptly.

Reserves

Library staff will work with faculty to try to make reserve materials available online. Some materials may not be available for electronic reserves due to copyright, format, or condition. If it is not feasible to put an item on reserve, the faculty member needs to consider other options. For assistance in determining what other options may exist, the Distance Learning Librarian can be contacted.

Interlibrary Loan

For materials not available at Milne Library, Interlibrary Loan Services will try to borrow the requested material from other libraries. ILL forms are available on the Milne Library web site. If there are any authorized charges, they will be billed to the students account before the material will be shipped.

The library will ship books to distance learners via UPS or 1st class mail. At present, there is no fee or limit. Students are responsible for returning library materials that have been borrowed from other libraries to Milne Library safely and promptly. Copies of articles and book chapters will be delivered electronically.

Library services for remote SUNY Oneonta sites:

Remote SUNY Oneonta sites are those such as the Biological Field Station, the Cooperstown Graduate Program, and the Mohawk Valley Community College site.

Collection development:
Faculty will recommend the purchase of books for remote SUNY Oneonta sites out of their department allotments.

Instruction:
The library will provide instruction to classes of distance learners whenever feasible.

Circulation:
Milne Library will deliver materials requested from the circulating collections. Some materials are unavailable for shipping to remote sites because of size, format, or condition. Students are responsible for returning library materials that are owned by Milne Library to Milne Library. Cooperstown Graduate Program students may return materials either to the NYSHA Library or Milne Library. MVCC students may return materials either to the MVCC Library or to Milne Library.

Interlibrary Loan:
Copies of articles or book chapters will usually be delivered electronically. Cooperstown Graduate Program students and faculty submit book requests to staff at NYSHA Library and should return them to NYSHA Library. Other remote borrowers are responsible for returning Interlibrary Loan materials to Milne Library.

Reserves:
Library staff will work with faculty to try to make reserve materials available online. Some materials may not be available for electronic reserves due to copyright, format, or condition. If it is not feasible to put an item on reserve, the faculty member needs to consider other options. For assistance in determining what other options may exist, the Distance Learning Librarian can be contacted.

Approved November 24, 2000