THE LIBRARY AND ITS ICT ROLES IN PROMOTING DISTANCE EDUCATION IN NIGERIA

Distance education as an important form of educational programme has done a lot of good in increasing the literacy rate of Nigerian citizens and the world over.This paper looked at the use of Information and Communication Technology (CT), the library and the librarians in achieving the objectives of distance education to bringing about effective learning.The objectives of distance education outlined by the Nigerian National Policy on Education were highlighted the impact of ICT on distance education was discussed looking at the services provided by ICT the library and the librarians in supporting distance learning.Factors challenging the use of ICT and roles of Library were listed and strategies to combat them were suggested It was concluded that distance education currently cannot achieve the desired goals without effective ICT and library services The strategies for combating the challenges were suggested, for instance, that distance education institution should give the establishment of lCT centre apriority in a well-equipped and functional library, among others.