Area High School Librarians/Media Specialists Team:

• Natalie Koehler, Danbury High School Library/Media Center
• Sally Markiewicz, Abbott Technical High School

WCSU Libraries Team:

• Jenny Innes, Public Services Librarian
• Xiaomei Gong, Business Librarian
• Russ Gladstone, Access Services Librarian
• Veronica Kenausis, Systems Librarian
• Maria Merino-Schweitzer, M.A. student Education/English and Library Assistant

Area High School Librarians Attending:

• Sydney Cohen, Brookfield High School Library, ydnye.cohen@brookfield.k12.ct.us
• Cara Lehman, Bethel High School Library, ehmanc@bethel.k12.ct.us
• Jackson Blossom, Newtown High School Library, lossomj@newtown.k12.ct.us
• Laura Jean Waters, Wilton High School Library, atersl@wilton.k12.ct.us
• Carolyn Waters, Fairfield Ludlowe High School Library, waters@fairfield.k12.ct.us
• Cathy Paine, Immaculate High School Library, irepain@yahoo.com
• Richard Kosier, New Milford High School Library, osierr@new-milford.k12.ct.us
• Liza Zandonella, Region 15 (Pomperaug) High School Library, zandonella@region15.org
• Jennifer Mackenzie, New Fairfield High School Library, mackenzie@new-fairfield.k12.ct.us
• Sue Rice, Danbury Public Schools, ices@danbury.k12.ct.us
• Kristin Macchiaverna, Danbury High School Library, acchk@danbury.k12.ct.us
• Louis Costabile, Trumbull High School, ostabil@trumbullps.org

A Workshop was held on Tuesday, March 20 from 9AM-2PM at Haas Library at Western Connecticut State University for participants in this collaborative effort.

How all this came about

Sally Markiewicz read a School Library Journal article over the summer that sparked her interest in collaborating with WCSU. She contacted WCSU libraries in Fall 2006 in the hopes of planning collaborative programs. A WCSU Libraries team was organized and meetings with Sally and Natalie happened during the school year 06-07. A March 20 workshop entitled "Building Bridges for Information Literacy 9-16" was planned. We are hopeful that this will be the start of a productive and enjoyable collaboration. Our foremost goal is to work to improve information literacy/library research skills in our graduating high school seniors/first year university students. Thanks to Sally for initiating the project!

Workshop Overview

This workshop will be an opportunity to share information, experiences, observations, and techniques related to how we promote information literacy in our respective settings. We will identify key issues/challenges we face and how to address them. We will also share our successes and other experiences where we have had a positive outcome. Together we will determine and develop ways we can continue to collaborate to improve student preparation for college level research, academic success, and ultimately, lifelong learning success!

Agenda

I. Welcome & Introductions (9:30 – 10 AM)

• Sally Markiewicz, Librarian/Media Specialist, Henry Abbott Technical High School

• Natalie Koehler, Librarian/Media Specialist, Danbury High School

• Jenny Innes, Public Services Librarian, Haas Library, WCSU

• Round the room introductions

II. Presentations by WCSU Library Faculty on information literacy activities in the library and on campus (10 AM – 11 AM)

• Veronica Kenausis, Systems Librarian, Haas Library: First Year Experience and information literacy

• Jenny Innes, Public Services Librarian, Haas Library: Information literacy in education & nursing library instruction

• Russ Gladstone, Access Services Librarian, Haas Library: Information literacy and the reference interview; the idea of “research literacy”

• Xiaomei Gong, Business Librarian, Young Library: Information literacy for business students

III. Presentations, Questions & Issues of interest (11 AM – 12N)

• Selected presentations from area high school library/media specialists, questions and answers, discussion of issues of interest

• Determine issues of highest priority regarding preparation of high school students for university level library research

• Session facilitated by Natalie Koehler

IV. Luncheon and Tour of Library (12N – 1 PM)

• Luncheon from 12N – 12:40; tour from 12:40-1 PM

V. Presentations and Wrap Up, Next Steps (1 PM – 2 PM)

• Tour of library website

• WCSU Libraries as a resource for area high school students

• Future ways to collaborate to address high priority issues

• Conclusion

Audio recordings and Transcripts of the Workshop

Librarian Workshop 1.wav

Librarian Workshop 2.wav

3) Presentation by Xiaomei Gong, Business Librarian, Young Business Library, WCSU Westside Campus

workshop Transcript Xiaomei Gong.doc

Librarian Workshop 3.wav

4) Presentation by Maria Merino-Schweitzer, Graduate Assistant, English Department, WCSU

workshop Transcript Maria Merino v2.doc

Librarian Workshop 4.wav