On September 20th 1996 the Department of Information Studies got subsidy from the Open Estonia Foundation to start the long-term project on distance education for library and information professionals "Information Technology in Libraries".
The aim of the project was to start continuing professional education for library and information professionals using distance education methods in order to promote the realisation of the development program of Estonian Library Information System. According to the development program of the information system for Estonian libraries "Estonian Library Information System", basic technology in Estonian libraries will be transferred to modern information technology during the period 1996-2005. As a result of that project 1500 workplaces with modern information technology will be established in 591 different Estonian libraries. This will increase the demand for continuing professional education for library and information professionals with knowledge and skills of modern information technology significantly.
The analysis of the demand for training based on questionnaire of the Estonian Librarians Association (ELA) among the members of ELA in February 1996 demonstrated, that education and training is needed mostly in the fields, based on modern information technology (computer handling, the generation and usage of computer-based databases, network training, integrated library systems, etc.)
To provide continuing professional education for library and information professionals, Centre for Information Work of the Tallinn Pedagogical University was established in 1995. In addition to conventional courses the Pilot Project for School Librarians started in the Centre in May 1996 (Project Director Sirje Virkus, participants Aira Lepik and Elviine Uverskaja). Distance education will enable to give education for library and information professionals who are not able to participate in conventional courses because of the reasons connected with family or work conditions, distance of dwelling, age, etc. Experiences and skills acquired during the Pilot Project enable to start distance education as a form of education and method in the education of library and information professionals more widely.
The project "Information Technology in Libraries" enables:
The Distance Education Project is planned for the period 1996-2000.
The project includes different modules: basic computer skills, integrated library systems, Internet basic tools, information seeking and retrieval in Internet and in commercial databases (Dialog, DataStar), generation of databases, electronic publishing, methods of analysing information, Estonian information resources in network environment, user education and consulting, etc.
The official opening of the class on information technology took place on the January 29, 1997. The Head of the Department of Information Studies Elviine Uverskaja made the opening speech, Sirje Virkus as the Project Director of the project "Information Technology in Libraries" introduced the objective and goals of the Project, the Head of the Centre of Information Work professor Evi Rannap stressed the role of the project in the process of continuing professional education. In the opening ceremony participated and gave a speech the Executive Director of the Open Estonia Foundation Mall Hellam, the Rector of TPU professor Mait Arvisto, the Rector of Viljandi College of Culture Enn Siimer and the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of TPU professor Mati Heidmets. Representatives of Estonian library and information world, teaching staff and students of TPU participated in the event.
I have great pleasure here to thank cordially everybody who supported and helped to establish the technological basis for starting distance education in the field of library and information science in Estonia.
Last updated February 17, 1997
sirvir@ tpu.ee
