Evolving Technology, Evolving Roles for Distance Education Librarians

This chapter explores technologically driven changes to distance education librarianship and their impact on the job responsibilities of librarians. It examines the necessary skills in the areas of technology, communication, networking, and roles that have emerged in distance education librarianship both globally and at Appalachian State University (ASU). These include: virtual reference librarian, Web librarian, course-integrated and/or instructional librarian, avatar librarian, and marketing librarian. Also discussed are collaboration and leadership opportunities for distance education librarians within the library and campus-wide, as a result of knowledge and expertise gained from providing library support to distance education students. This chapter will be relevant to administrators and practitioners as they make choices concerning library science curricula, hiring, and continuing education decisions.