%0 Conference Paper
%A Zaiton Osman, 
%A Sharipah Hanon Bidin, 
%A Open University Malaysia,
%B International Conference on Change and Challenges of Public Library Services to Bridge the Digital Divide
%C Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
%D 2003
%F library_repository:583
%K Digital Divide ; Public libraries 
%T Providing Equal Opportunity In Learning:  The Role Of The OUM Digital Library In Distance Learning  
%U https://library.oum.edu.my/repository/583/
%X The relevance of any library to its parent organization depends on the need for it. In the case of a  university library, if the library is as described in the professional literature as being at the heart of  teaching and learning – then the need for it must exist in the teaching and learning environment  within which it operates.  The need to view the relevance of the library within the educational context is important in order  to avoid an ‘isolationist’ approach to library development. It is easier to understand the role of the  library seen against the background of the prevailing concept of education, aims and objectives of  education, teaching-learning objectives and strategies, etc. In the case of the Digital Library, it is  necessary to understand the democratisation process of higher education, the concept of the  Open University and its core activities so that any discussion of its role can be done in the proper  context and from a meaningful perspective.