HOW DIGITAL LIBRARIES CAN SUPPORT E-LEARNING?

Digital libraries offer opportunities for e-learning that are not possible in their physical counterparts. Digital libraries complement other learning environments, such as those provided in distance education and courses offered online. Like e-learning environments, they provide flexibility of time and place. Digital libraries have the potential to offer unprecedented resources to support e-learning. Access to current research and needed information within a well-developed infrastructure can provide faculty members and students with a unique opportunity to carry out deep research and to teach and learn more thoroughly. The paper addresses and discusses the following items: What is meant by "e-learning" and how can it be supported by library environment; what the functionality of the digital library is and how the e-learning resources are included and organized in a digital library. This paper will also explore the advantages of digital libraries for e-learning and the types of learning that can be supported by them. There is undoubtedly a keenness to use online information resources for research and teaching, but this seems to be matched by a lack of awareness of how best to integrate these resources into the e-learning environment. This paper concludes with a discussion of the role and influence of the digital libraries and online resources on e-learning.