This document discusses a university library's outreach program to local schools aimed at preparing "research ready" students. It provides an overview of the program which began in 2013 with informal discussions and has since evolved to include library tours, independent research tasks, and interactive referencing activities. Student feedback indicates they found the sessions informative and gained an in-depth understanding of university-level research skills. The document calls for views on whether such outreach helps bridge the gap between secondary and university education by making students more independent learners and research ready.

1. Bridging the gap: should we
reach out to schools to prepare
‘research ready’ students?
Carolyn Benny
Pauline Smith

3. Connection
Learning
Achievement
Transition
Image Credit: LJMU

4. Connection
How it started…
• Be careful of ‘friendly chats’!
• 2013 – what did we do?
• 2016 & 2017 – how did this develop?
…connected vision
ImageCredit:LJMU

8. Student comments about the sessions:
• Informative, interesting, liked the tour and
independent work
• The insight into uni study
• Being able to do independent tasks
• Interesting and gave us an in depth understanding
of referencing
• It was not all just speaking at us, there was
interactive activities
• Informative and supportive
Achievement
ImageCredit:LJMU

10. Reflection and evolution…
• Formal report
• LJMU Teaching & Learning Conference Presentation
• CSE Compliance Plus
• Discussions with Academic Liaison Librarians’ team
• Meeting with Outreach at LJMU
• How this initiative has helped us…
ImageCredit:LJMU
Transition

11. ImageCredit:LJMU
Transition

12. Connection
Learning
Achievement
Transition
Image Credit: LJMU

13. Your views…
• What is your opinion of what we have done?
• Do you think these school students have taken the
first steps to being ‘research ready’ and ultimately
‘independent learners’, if so why/why not?
• Do you think it is our responsibility as ‘university
librarians’ to help bridge the gap?
• In your role as an information professional, are you
already bridging the gap, if you are, please share
with us how and why?
Carolyn Benny: C.M.Benny@ljmu.ac.uk
Pauline Smith: P.Smith@ljmu.ac.uk