Distance teaching of online searching poses a number of problems especially with regard to its practical aspects. The principles of sound instructional design and technological developments can, however, be used to develop a multimedia study package that can solve these problems and be used to teach end-users, information specialists as well as Information Science students. At the University of South Africa (Unisa), the Department of Information Science uses a multimedia study package to teach online searching and to make students aware of teaching principles. The Library Service offers online training courses for their end-users. Combining the experience and expertise of the Department and of the Library, the objective is to develop a multimedia study package that allows for independent study where the student need attend only the practical sessions. The application of instructional design to the study package is explained and examples are given of the content, objectives, learning events, teaching methods and media combinations. The study package is suitable for different levels of online searching and for people from both developed and under-developed environments. It also caters to adult learners' interests. The proposed package includes the use of printed media, videos, practical exercises, workshops, e-mail and use of the Internet. The package is based on the characteristics of distance teaching and multimedia study packages. (Contains 14 references.) (Author)