Visionary Expansion of Distance Education and Library Resources at Vista University: A Comprehensive Review

1. Distance Education and Library Resources at Vista University: From Unplanned growth to a Visionary Package Juliano M. Kabamba Vista University Pretoria, South Africa Kbmba-jm@acaleph.vista.ac.za

2. Vista University Library Services:Outline • Historical Introduction • Overview & Composition • Distance Education Programme • Library Services: 1982 - 1998 • Library Services: 1998 - to-date • Planning the Way Forward • Forging Strategic Partnerships

3. Vista University Library Services:Outline • Management Structure • Policy Statement • Students Profiles • Library Service Programmes • Procedures & Documentation • Feedback & Introspection • Concluding Remarks

4. Vista University Library Services:Historical Introduction • Youngest of the Public Funded Universities in South Africa • Largest of the Historically Disadvantaged Universities • Nature of the Historically Disadvantaged Universities • Dual Mode and Non-residential University

5. Vista University Library Services:Overview & Composition • Students Population : over 25,500 • Eight Campuses located in three Provincial Centres • Faculties: Management, Science, Education, Law, & Arts • Library Structure

6. Vista University Library Services:Distance Learning Programme • Origin : Upgrading of Teachers qualifications • Phasing out Certificate Programmes • Development of Degree Programmes • Learning model

7. Vista University Library Services:Library Services: 1982 - 1989 • Exclusion of Off-campus Students • Under funding • Underlying Assumption • Absence of Will and Commitment • Lack of competion

8. Vista University Library Services:Library Services: 1998 to-date • Creation of Position of Central Campus Librarian • Experiences of other Institutions • Linking with Branch / Public Libraries

9. Vista University Library Services: Planning Process • Setting the Agenda • Searching for Partners • Mapping Students Locations • Identification of Public & College Libraries • Focus on Learner Support Centres

10. Vista University Library Services:Forging Strategic Partnerships • Phased-in Approach • Laying the Foundation • Explaining the Scheme • Pre-view of Library Facilities • Memorandum of Agreement

11. Vision for Distance Learners:Management Structure • Shifting from Reactive to proactive approach • Setting the stage • Appointment of Librarian Responsible for Distance Learning

12. Vision for Distance Learners:Policy Statement • Affirmation for Support • Principle of Equivalent Services • Avoiding inequalities

13. Vision for Library Services:Students Profiles • Information Needs of Off -campus Students • Disparities Among Off-campus Students • Plotting the Nature of Services

14. Vision for Library Services:Programme • Planning for the Mode of Delivery • Categories of Students Cohorts • Differentiating levels of Support

15. Vision for Library Services:Procedures & Documentation • Articulation of Library Services • Dissemination of procedures & Regulations • Suppressing Undue Expectations

16. Vision for Library Services:Feedback & Introspection • Performance & Cost Effectiveness • Culture of Record Management • Follow-up Site Visits • Maintaining Contacts with Academics

17. Vision for Library Services:Concluding Remarks • Is complete Parity Achievable? • Opportunities Offerings of IT • Digital Recording & Electronic Transfer • Donor Support and Partnerships • Competion for Students