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1、Athabasca University Library:Services of a Global ProportionAthabasca University (AU) is Canadas Open University, specializing in the provision of distance education courses at the post-secondary level. The admission requirement for undergraduate students is that applicants to the University be 1yea
2、rs of age. Students may take courses leading to a number of certificates and degrees. AU offers 1university certificate programs, university diploma programs, 1undergraduate degree programs, and graduate programs. Since 199the University has witnessed dramatic growth. Course enrolments over the past
3、 - years have increased by more than0%. Undergraduate program registrations have increased by more than1%; graduate-level registrations have increased by more than89%. Accessibility to courses, the ability to register in courses year-round, and fewer barrier to studying at a conventional university
4、are the main reasons cited by students for studying at Athabasca University. Surveys of Athabasca University students reveal that the vast majority of students would recommend AU to a friend or colleague.Approximately one-half of the student body is comprised of visiting students students who take a
5、n AU course with the intent of transferring the credits to another university. Reasons for transferring credits primarily are that courses are not always offered at the students home institution, there may be time tabling difficulties at the students home institution, or that students choose to take
6、 an independent study course in addition to the course load at the home institution, and without the apparent restrictions surrounding attendance in a classroom. The number of students who enroll in a course at AU to transfer the credits to thEir home institution is also increasing at a steady rate.
7、The number of AU graduates is increasing year by year the number of credentials awarded in 199was8% higher then the number of credentials awarded in 1998. The growth rate in course registrations is now at an unprecedented level, and is largely attributed to the quality of the learning experience off
8、ered to the student. High-quality materials are prepared and provided in a complete package to students upon enrolment. High-quality support services are provided to registered student and are included in the tuition fee. Among the various units in the University that provide support services to stu
9、dents, it is believed that quality library services contribute to the growth and success of Athabasca University.The findings in 199of a series of teleconference focus groups conducted by AU Library support the notion that quality library services are valued and contribute to the successful completi
10、on of courses. Participants in the focus groups reported that they were highly satisfied with materials supplied from the Library and that Library staff are knowledgeable and helpful and “go the extra mile” to help. Students reported that they appreciated that materials weresent to them could be ret
11、urned to the Library postage paid by the University. Participants also confirmed the notion that more AU students are acquiring computer equipment and obtaining connectivity to the Internet. More AU students, it is concluded, want to do more of their searching and researching. AU Library is working
12、diligently in this regard by licensing more databases for remote access using the Internet. Most students were satisfied with the available on-line services and reported that some students may be unaware of such services. Participants also reported that there is a need for more instruction and expla
13、nation of techniques to access the available services.Library ServicesAthabasca University Library provides a wide range of library services to students registered in AU courses. Every registered student may benefit by the following services provided to them by AU Library. Students may borrow materi
14、als from AU Library. Students may search AUCAT (the library catalog) and other information resources available on the AU Librarys web page. Students may expect library instruction and research assistance. Students may request interlibrary loan (ILL) for journal articles. AU Library will strive to pr
15、ovide comparable service to students outside of Canada.Since the early 1970s when the University was founded and the Library was originally developed, the Library has evolved and developed immensely. AU Library first occupied an area in the basement of the office building in Edmonton, Alberta. The c
16、ollection at that time was quite small and supported but a handful of courses. In 198the University was relocated to the Town of Athabasca, Alberta, and funded (with a one-time grant) to develop a collection to support course development for undergraduate degree programs. Library Services now occupies the largest area in the central office facility. The collection has been developed to about 130,000 items; these materials are used by faculty in the preparation a
