LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION:THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY, MASHONALAND CENTRALREGIONAL LIBRARY

LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SERVICES IN SUPPORT OF DISTANCE EDUCATION:THE CASE OF ZIMBABWE OPEN UNIVERSITY, MASHONALAND CENTRALREGIONAL LIBRARY

GODFREY TSVUURA

Distance education at tertiary level in Zimbabwe has been widely accepted and adopted by many
people. More often, distance education students face difficulties in getting required information
to complete assignments and prepare for examinations. The study sought to examine the library
and information services in support of distance education at Mashonaland Central Regional
Library in Bindura.
The research methods were mixed-research designs in which both qualitative and quantitative
techniques were employed. These included review of related literature, interviews and
questionnaires. The findings were that the lack of computers and internet services were the major
constraints that hindered the students from using the library. This had been indicated by 91% of
the respondents. Recommendations were that the regional library should increase the provision
of library and information services to its distance education students.

NUST

2013