Information literacy instruction to distance students in higher education : librarians ’ key role

This paper describes the changing of distance education environment, characteristics of distance students in higher education and their problems in using library resources and services. Information literacy instruction as the key role of distance education librarians is described based on STOU's experience in Thailand as a case study. Change is the key element for the twenty first century that poses many challenges and enormous pressure on our daily life, work and society. Political, economical, social, and technological environments are changing significantly and rapidly. Information and communication technologies (ICT) transform all aspects of education and distance education which is a rapidly growing segment within higher education is affected greatly. Faculty and librarians are all at the crossroads and being pressured to increase their productivity and to change instructional strategies to accommodate changes and educational reforms. There is a need for the new vision and the new roles of librarians within the changing distance education environment.