Determining effective methods of funding library services in support of off-campus programs

An important development in higher education has been the expansion of off-campus and non-traditional programs. Library resources and services must be provided for the students enrolled in these off-campus courses. This research was undertaken to determine funding methods used to provide library services to off-campus students and faculty.;The population consisted of private, not-for-profit, baccalaureate degree granting institutions accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges. The study was designed to determine how well the institutions within the population met the Guidelines for Extended Campus Library Services of the Association of College and Research Libraries, as well as to investigate funding methods. Responses indicated that at least thirty-seven percent of the private, four-year, NCA accredited institutions have expanded their programming off-campus. Of these, however, approximately one-half involved the on-campus library in providing resources and services to the off-campus student.;Two statistically significant relationships were found when the on-campus library was involved with providing off-campus library services. The first was the involvement of the librarian in the planning process for off-campus programs, and the second was the provision of additional funding to provide these services. Four funding models were identified: (1) a larger general library budget, (2) assessment of a library fee to students enrolling in the off-campus program, (3) a percentage of the off-campus tuition or budget, and (4) bargaining for funding in consultation with the off-campus personnel.