Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia
Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991, essential technical, economic, political and social changes have taken place here. All sectors of our economy require greater access to information than ever before. Complex changes are also facing libraries, librarians and education in Estonia. The s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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University of Borås
1997-01-01
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| Series: | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://informationr.net/ir/2-4/paper20.html |
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| _version_ | 1832574133962014720 |
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| author | Sirje Virkus |
| author_facet | Sirje Virkus |
| author_sort | Sirje Virkus |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Since Estonia regained its independence in 1991, essential technical, economic, political and social changes have taken place here. All sectors of our economy require greater access to information than ever before. Complex changes are also facing libraries, librarians and education in Estonia. The systematic transition to modern information technology in Estonian libraries started in 1992 when a plan for establishing information system for libraries was worked out. According to the Plan, basic technology will be converted to modern information technology during the period 1996-2005. As a result of that plan 1500 workplaces with modern information technology will be established in 591 libraries in Estonia. At present there are 1284 libraries in Estonia, among them 604 public libraries, 745 school libraries, 141 special and research libraries. There are 3135 librarians working in Estonian libraries, of whom 48% are professionally educated. To define continuing education needs, a special questionnaire was used by the Estonian Librarians Association (ELA) among the members of ELA in February 1996. Almost 300 librarians answered the questionnaire. The analysis of the results showed that education and training is needed mostly in the fields based on modern information technology. According to the results of the questionnaire and the development plan for Estonian libraries mentioned above, the demand for continuing professional education for library and information professionals with the knowledge and skills of modern information technology exists and will increase significantly. In order to help information professionals to keep abreast of the rapidly changing environment and to cope with growing continuing education needs, the Centre for Information Work was established within the Department of Information Studies at the Tallinn Pedagogical University (TPU) in June 1995. In addition to traditional face-to-face courses, distance education as a new form and method of education has been implemented in the Centre. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e058a28c85694421badcbc69dbeab9e2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1368-1613 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 1997-01-01 |
| publisher | University of Borås |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Information Research: An International Electronic Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-e058a28c85694421badcbc69dbeab9e22025-02-02T01:02:21ZengUniversity of BoråsInformation Research: An International Electronic Journal1368-16131997-01-012420Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in EstoniaSirje VirkusSince Estonia regained its independence in 1991, essential technical, economic, political and social changes have taken place here. All sectors of our economy require greater access to information than ever before. Complex changes are also facing libraries, librarians and education in Estonia. The systematic transition to modern information technology in Estonian libraries started in 1992 when a plan for establishing information system for libraries was worked out. According to the Plan, basic technology will be converted to modern information technology during the period 1996-2005. As a result of that plan 1500 workplaces with modern information technology will be established in 591 libraries in Estonia. At present there are 1284 libraries in Estonia, among them 604 public libraries, 745 school libraries, 141 special and research libraries. There are 3135 librarians working in Estonian libraries, of whom 48% are professionally educated. To define continuing education needs, a special questionnaire was used by the Estonian Librarians Association (ELA) among the members of ELA in February 1996. Almost 300 librarians answered the questionnaire. The analysis of the results showed that education and training is needed mostly in the fields based on modern information technology. According to the results of the questionnaire and the development plan for Estonian libraries mentioned above, the demand for continuing professional education for library and information professionals with the knowledge and skills of modern information technology exists and will increase significantly. In order to help information professionals to keep abreast of the rapidly changing environment and to cope with growing continuing education needs, the Centre for Information Work was established within the Department of Information Studies at the Tallinn Pedagogical University (TPU) in June 1995. In addition to traditional face-to-face courses, distance education as a new form and method of education has been implemented in the Centre.http://informationr.net/ir/2-4/paper20.htmlEstoniaaccess to informationlibrarieslibrarianseducationinformation technologyinformation systemsquestionnaireEstonian Librarians AssociationELAtrainingcontinuing professional educationCentre for Information WorkTallinn Pedagogical Universitydistance education |
| spellingShingle | Sirje Virkus Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia Information Research: An International Electronic Journal Estonia access to information libraries librarians education information technology information systems questionnaire Estonian Librarians Association ELA training continuing professional education Centre for Information Work Tallinn Pedagogical University distance education |
| title | Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia |
| title_full | Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia |
| title_fullStr | Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia |
| title_short | Distance Education as a New Possibility for Librarians in Estonia |
| title_sort | distance education as a new possibility for librarians in estonia |
| topic | Estonia access to information libraries librarians education information technology information systems questionnaire Estonian Librarians Association ELA training continuing professional education Centre for Information Work Tallinn Pedagogical University distance education |
| url | http://informationr.net/ir/2-4/paper20.html |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sirjevirkus distanceeducationasanewpossibilityforlibrariansinestonia |