Building a Virtual Campus: Librarians as Collaborators in Online Course Development and Learning

ABSTRACT

In 2001, the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) Libraries began an informal partnership with the college's online course development unit: the Virtual Campus. What initially began as a relationship based on the traditional reference model has continued to evolve. Librarians now act as integral team members in course design and delivery along with providing information literacy instruction. This article discusses the evolution of SIAST Libraries’ relationship with the Virtual Campus and presents a model of the collaboration that has taken place. In addition, it describes the ways in which this relationship has impacted the role of SIAST's librarians as well as improved communication with and services for off-campus students and faculty.