During the past several years, there has been a radical change in the way some library schools offer classes. The Internet has changed libraries in many ways, and library schools are no different.  Many have begun to utilize the Internet to provide distance education to its students. 

Of the 58 programs currently accredited by the ALA,  21  offer at least some web-based courses.  And of these 21, eleven offer a degree that can be earned either completely online,  or predominantly online with brief campus visits.   Students following this course of study are now  beginning to enter the work force as new librarians.

This survey is designed to be answered by those who will work most closely with these new graduates -- and those already working in libraries and  those responsible for the hiring of new librarians.  What are the perceptions of those already in the library workplace of a degree earned through distance education.  Is there a difference?

This is a purely voluntary survey, designed and administered by Maureen Wynkoop as a project for the MLS degree at Southern Connecticut State University.  It consists primarily of yes/no and multiple choice questions and should take between 5 and 10 minutes to complete.  The website has been designed so that no identifying data will be collected.  Your answers will remain completely anonymous.   If you have any questions about this survey, or if you have additional comments you'd like to include, contact the researcher: maureen@camden.lib.nj.us  Completing and submitting the survey constitutes agreement to participate in this study.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.