Enhancing distance learning using quality digital libraries and CITIDEL John A.N. Lee, John Impagliazzo, Lillian Cassel, Edward Fox, Lee Giles Deborah Knox and Manuel Perez-Quinones Virginia Tech, Hofstra University, Villanova University, Virginia Tech, Pennsylvania State University, The College of New Jersey, Virginia Tech. Abstract: The past ten years have demonstrated an insurgence and explosive growth of digital libraries. This paper shows how the National Science Foundation STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Education Digital Library (NSDL) initiative can be useful to teachers and students engaged in distance learning and education. It will also explore how the computing component ofNSDL can be a vital tool for the study of computing. Key words: digital libraries, computing education, distance education 1. INTRODUCTION The National Science Foundation (NSF) in the United States has launched an aggressive initiative to develop a national [and international] digital library for the preservation and dissemination of educational materials in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The initiative, coined NSDL for National STEM Digital Library, promises to deliver online educational resources in a variety of interactive formats allowing students, teachers, and the public to participate in online learning. NSDL is not only a provider of information. NSDL also accommodates the reception of information by allowing contributors (educators, learners, and the public) to submit qualified materials that the public can use or share. One major component of NSDL is in the area of computing. Here, the word 'computing' means all areas involving the study of The original version of this chapter was revised: The copyright line was incorrect. This has been corrected. The Erratum to this chapter is available at DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-35700-3_33 © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2003 G. Davies et al. (eds.), Quality Education @ a Distance