A Study of Information Literacy Initiatives between Secondary Schools and Universities in the UK

Abstract

This paper discusses the nature and conclusions of the second phase of a two-part project, CrossEd, undertaken between autumn 2004 and autumn 2005 and funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee in the UK. The study investigated collaborations taking place between secondary schools and universities in the provision of information literacy skilling relating to the use of e-resources. A survey of all university libraries in the UK was undertaken using an e-mail questionnaire to identify the incidence of current collaboration. The data from that survey provided information on the types of collaboration taking place. These were categorised and used to select the survey population of six university libraries for the qualitative study. Data collection was by means of face-to-face and telephone interviews with university librarians, using semistructured interview schedules. Six types of training for school pupils were identified, and the research revealed at least seven distinct positive aspects of cross-sectoral collaboration for school pupils. A fundamental lack of understanding of the respective roles of secondary school and university librarians was evident, and a range of issues to be addressed by librarians in both educational sectors was identified. A strategy for enhancing collaboration in the UK is also discussed.