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Cornell University Library

Distributed Learning Advisory Committee (DLAC)

Meeting Notes

The Distributed Learning Advisory Committee evaluated the prototype "Distributed Learning Services for Faculty" page developed by the CUL Office of Distributed Learning. The draft Web site is available at: http://www.library.cornell.edu/odl/

The goal of the prototype is to demonstrate the suite of services that can be offered through a CUL distributed learning Web site. At this point, most of the information presented under various service areas is incomplete or even inaccurate (especially the section on library support for off-campus students). "Notes for Reviewers" link from the home page further describes the current status of the Web site.

The envisioned CUL Distibuted Learning web page will offer a single point of entry to highlight the Library's key services for faculty and off-campus students. Such a page will be useful to represent the Library on distributed learning resource pages that are emerging on various Cornell web sites (e.g., CIT). The goal is to promote the Library’s services to faculty and also to provide a gateway for unit libraries’ related pages that further articulate their services.

The Committee endorsed the general framework of the prototype with the following recommendations:

• The purpose and the target audience for the Web page should be clear from the title and the menu.
• The "off-campus student" section should also be an independent link for distance learning students from the Gateway home page.
• The concepts need clear definitions (both for us and for users). For example, what does "off-campus student" mean?
• We'll add a main contact information on the home page for user comments and questions.
• We need to address technical support issues from two perspectives:
  (1) Technical problems encountered as one uses the Web site (e.g., broken links);
  (2) Service-based technological support (e.g., "can not access the e-reserves site"). We'll make use of the existing Gateway user guides as much as possible.
  Also, it will be useful to create an FAQ page specific to the site.
• The development of the Web site needs to be closely aligned with the Library Gateway Redesign Planning Group's work.

NEXT STEPS

Oya will contact the CUL Steering Committee chairs to get their assistance in developing content for the site. She will work with Tom Hickerson and the LMT to refine and implement the envisioned digital library consultancy services. She will keep the Library Gateway Redesign Planning Group informed of the developments.

Meeting notes by Oya Y. Rieger

CUL Staff Web Site | Committee Index | DLAC Index

02/01/02 vwb