INNOVATION FOR LIBRARY SCIENCE EDUCATION: the introduction of distance learning in the ls undergraduate program in brazil

The paper examines the innovative approach to undergraduate education in Library Science (LS) resulting from the introduction of distance learning in Brazil. First some concepts in Distance Learning (DL) are presented to help describe how DL has been adopted in the Brazilian education context. Some previous initiatives that are presently in operation are then described, with special focus on the program conceived by the Conselho Federal de Biblioteconomia (CFB, the Federal Librarianship Council) in association to the Universidade Aberta do Brasil (UAB, the Brazilian Open University). When the present status of in locus programs is analysed, it must be noted that they are mostly concentrated in state capitals; therefore there is a clear need to enhance the formal education of librarians as to make it possible to meet the increased demand for professionals to assist inner regions. The CFB-UAB project receives support from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ, the Federal University at Rio de Janeiro) to make feasible the production of learning materials to be supplied by the public schools network (IPES) throughout the country. The paper finally argues that DL may be seen as an incremental innovation in the LS field that is deeply transforming the education of professional librarians.