Bridging the Gap Conference

Join us for Bridging the Gap, a dynamic conference designed for Connecticut high school librarians, media specialists, and teachers, and led by Connecticut academic library staff. This unique event aims to strengthen collaboration between high schools and higher education institutions, focusing on how we can work together to support students on their educational journey as they transition from high school to college. Discover resources available at Connecticut’s colleges and universities, share ideas, and explore strategies to help students succeed in their next academic chapter.

The CLC College Outreach Committee, made up of dedicated Connecticut academic and high school librarians, is leading this initiative. The goal is to create a robust college outreach program that builds strong partnerships and ensures smooth transitions for students moving from high school to higher education.

Registration closes on Tuesday, July 8th!

Conference Highlights

MORNING

Keynote: They Are All Our Students: Fostering Collaboration Between High School and Academic Libraries

Jaime Hammond, Director of Library Services, CT State Naugatuck Valley

Mini Workshops: Digital Resources, Information Literacy, Primary Sources

These workshops are designed to foster conversations between academic librarians and high school educators, helping both groups learn from each other and support student success in transitioning to college or careers.

SESSION ONE:

• The Past is Never Dead: Finding Yourself Through Primary Documents - Catie White & Dr. Robert Bourgeois, Albertus Magnus College
• Building a Bridge from Somewhere: Strengthening Pathways for Information Literacy through UConn’s Early College Experience Program - Erica Charis-Molling & Anna Twiddy, University of Connecticut
• Empowering Civics Education: Utilizing Government Documents and Legal Resources in K-12 Classrooms - Jessica de Perio Wittman, Anne Rajotte, & Jessica Panella, UCONN School of Law

SESSION TWO:

• Primary Sources for History Day Projects: How the UConn Archives Gets Primary Sources into the Hands of Middle and High School Students - Laura Smith, University of Connecticut
• Redesigning College Preparation: Using First Year Experience Programs to Affect Change Inside and Out - Dr. Gretchen Paulson, Terrence Phillips, & Dylan Sprague, Western Connecticut State University
• High School to College: Teaching Research Skills in an AI World - Ryan Rebstock, CT State Northwestern

AFTERNOON

Lunch

Presentation

Opening the Doors: Creating Welcoming Library Experiences for New and Future College Students - Yoli Bergstrom-Lynch, Kristin Lavoie, & Jennifer Sherman, CT State Manchester & Great Path Academy

"Putting Into Practice" Sessions

In these sessions, high school participants will work in small groups with academic librarians to enhance a current research assignment or develop a new idea.

➞ HIGH SCHOOL ATTENDEES: Please bring an assignment you’ve already given, or something you’ve wanted to create but haven’t had the time to develop.