Sustainable Collaborations: Libraries Link Dual-credit Programs to P-20 Initiatives

Abstract

This article argues for collaboration among academic libraries, departments, and high schools in order to strengthen articulation between the secondary and post-secondary sectors. By featuring work from a year-long project made possible by an LSTA grant and involving the Colorado State University-Pueblo Library, English Program, and several southern Colorado high schools that participate in the university’s dual-credit program, Senior-to-Sophomore, this article outlines the process of using information literacy (IL) instruction to foster relationships among secondary and post-secondary instructors, improve communication between instructors and library staff within both sectors, and ultimately strengthen teaching and learning. As discussed in the article, major challenges to an ongoing successful partnership include resources and program sustainability. The ultimate benefit, however, is the way in which cross-institutional partnerships focused on IL instruction are poised to benefit not only secondary to post-secondary articulation, but also the entire pre-school through graduate level (P-20) educational continuum.