High School to University Connection Program for Library Research
The UVic Libraries recognizes that providing effective support during the High School to University transition is an important factor in facilitating student success throughout an undergraduate program of study. The UVic Libraries now offers a Grade 11 and Grade 12 class visit program for interested teachers and school librarians in order to help familiarize local students with common library research expectations encountered at university.
Take a look at Kent State University's Transitioning to College web site to get a sense of research expectations at university and how they may be different from high school.
Program purpose To engage local high school students in the process of academic research in order to:
- Enable the critical and effective use of scholarly information;
- Introduce research expectations and practices in university settings; and
- Meet the research needs of students completing Grade 11 or Grade 12 course assignments.
Program highlights
- Book borrowing privileges.
- A temporary library card.
- Librarian-led workshops on academic research held in the libraries' computer lab and centered on using materials and search processes relevant to Grade 11 or Grade 12 course work.
- Introduction to research practices commonly used in university course work.
- Guidance regarding citation help.
- In-library access to the libraries' wide range of materials.
Program guidelines
- The UVic Libraries' High School to University Connection program is available to students registered in Grade 11 or Grade 12 courses at schools throughout the Capital Regional District. Teachers or school librarians should contact the Greater Victoria Public Library to arrange opportunities for students in lower grades. Vancouver Island schools outside of the Capital Regional District who wish to include a library visit are encouraged to contact Vancouver Island University Library.
- Visits must be facilitated by a UVic Librarian and supervised by the class teacher or a school librarian.
- Requests should be made to the UVic Libraries Teaching & Learning Office with at least two weeks of notice and one month notice is preferred.
- Visits must focus on research activities required for completing an assignment in a Grade 11 or Grade 12 course.
- Library visits are available from November-December and March-June.
- The UVic Libraries can only offer a limited number of research workshops and tours to high school students each year (no more than 1 session per week) and requests are taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Teachers must provide the UVic Librarian with a copy of the class assignment, the course learning outcomes, and links to relevant curriculum guidelines at least two weeks in advance of the workshop.
- Teachers are required to consult with their teacher/librarian about instruction issues and training prior to the class visit at the UVic Libraries. Classes may be asked to complete a short questionnaire in advance of the visit in order to understand the students' level of information literacy.
- Teachers are strongly encouraged to review the UVic Libraries' Research Help web pages, particularly the section titled 'Research Tips Central', in advance of their library visit.
- Students and teachers participating in a UVic Libraries class visit are expected to follow library policies and guidelines regarding noise and food consumption.
- If a student wishes to return to the Library at a later date, they can obtain a guest computer ID and password at the McPherson Library loans desk - provided they are registered in a Grade 11 or Grade 12 class and they show government issued ID. There are limited numbers of guest IDs, and this ID and password will expire at the end of the business day. Public access workstations are available on a first come, first served basis.
- Schools and/or teachers wanting a UVic campus tour should make arrangements through UVic Student Transition Services.