Members then introduced themselves. Jim Corey and Carol Turner gave an update on the current status of the proposal that has been presented by the Library Subcommittee of the Florida Institute on Public Postsecondary Distance Learning. At present the proposal has been approved by all participating bodies but funding has not moved into the appropriate accounts. Jim spoke in some detail about the various bodies involved in Florida's developing distance learning programs and described the presentations he and Richard Madaus of the CCLA have made to them during the last month. The first call on distance learning support funding is for a new online advising system.
Libraries are second in the queue.
Jim reiterated the well-supported assumption that benefits that will be enjoyed by distance learning students should be available to all students. The group set forth the need to build evaluative mechanisms into program implementation. As the Task Force adjourned to lunch, members divided into three discussion groups. Each group was assigned two topics related to implementing the library service program for distance learners. The groups were asked to identify issues relating to the implementation of each service and, if possible, make recommendations.