Fulfilling the learning resource requirements of students at the Open University of Tanzania

Reports more fully the results of a study and questionnaire survey, previously reported on in an earlier article ( Journal of Librarianship and Information Science , 31 (2) June 1999, p.101-109), conducted at the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) to determine the user needs of their distance education students. Data is presented for 1994-1998, showing the distribution of students by regions of the country and by gender. Discusses the materials used by distance learning students: module/unit study materials; textbooks, other books and reference materials; human support; and publishers. Details are given of the role played by the Tanzania Library Service, OUT Library, and other libraries. Notes the effect of changing attitudes and sets out the study conclusions and recommendations applicable narrowly to OUT and more widely to planners of distance learning programmes.