Purpose: The paper aims to study how the present distance learning libraries can improve upon their existing services and introduce new ones to enhance quality of services to distance learners. Design/methodology/approach: The paper includes a review of literature on quality assurance in open and distance education in general and student support services in particular. It studies and compares the current practices followed by libraries at open universities, which have proved trailblazers in distance education. Findings: This paper proposes an action plan for distance learning libraries and offers suggestions for improving their library services. Originality/value: This paper will be of interest to library science researchers and professionals working in distance learning libraries with responsibility for quality assurance. (Contains 2 tables and 6 online resources.)