“It's not scary”: A university-high school collaboration to rethink approaches to information literacy

Abstract

Academic librarians have noted that the high school research experiences of first year students often do not prepare them for college-level work. This has led to a number of collaborations between college and high school librarians. However, teaching information literacy and research skills at the high school level requires many collaborators, including classroom teachers and administrators. This study explores the impact of an innovative university-high school collaboration that centered the role of libraries and librarians in shaping curricula. Academic and high school librarians designed a professional development experience that allowed high school teachers to learn more about, reflect upon, and more thoughtfully implement research skills into their curriculum. This experience resulted in these skills being more purposefully scaffolded into classes, established an interdisciplinary community of practice among teachers and librarians, and enhanced student-centered learning outcomes in a school that serves socially and economically disadvantaged students. These types of partnerships can foster equity in student success and empower the next generation of information users and creators in college and beyond.