Nearly 60 Oswego High School (OHS) Students visited Penfield Library on Tuesday, Jan. 9 to learn about library resources, how to conduct college-level research, and what academic support services are available to college students at SUNY Oswego.
The collaboration between Penfield Library and OHS was coordinated and planned by First-Year Experience Librarian Michelle Bishop before Bishop left for a spring sabbatical.
“We are always interested in strengthening connections with the local community,” Library Director Sarah Weisman said.
Dani Mosko, SUNY Oswego’s high school programs coordinator, put the OHS teachers in touch with Bishop. The SUNY Oswego in The High School program works with 34 high schools across New York State and academic departments around campus. Students in this program take college-level courses while still attending their high schools.
“These programs serve as a valuable pathway, enhancing students' academic outcomes, college readiness and overall success in higher education,” said Mosko. “Oswego High School’s visit to campus plays a crucial role in advancing partnerships and providing students with a firsthand look at college life. OHS, in particular, has expanded its offerings through this program, underscoring its significance in broadening access to higher education.”
Research, Instruction, and Outreach Librarian Nicole Westerdahl pointed out that new college students may find university libraries to be intimidating. “A visit like this gives high school students the confidence to visit the campus library wherever they go to college,” Westerdahl said. “Libraries often serve as campus hubs of essential resources and services. While it can be tempting to conduct all your research online, physically visiting your campus library will give students access to a whole range of experiences and support to help them succeed.”
Westerdahl noted the visit should help the students in whatever path they choose in life.
“I hope [the OHS] students gained an understanding of the importance of research skills regardless of where their future paths lead them: to college, to trade school or an apprenticeship, or directly into the workforce. Having the skills to locate and evaluate information are essential no matter what path in life you take,” Westerdahl added.
Casey Towne, associate director of the Office of Learning Services, also spoke to the OHS students during their visit to Penfield. “Academic support is for all college students and is an important part of student success,” Towne said. Her advice to high school students is, “When applying for college, research the academic supports on campus in addition to the majors, sports, facilities and clubs.”
In addition to attending a class session on library research skills and academic support services, the OHS students also toured the Penfield Library building. Those tours were led by librarians Catherine Carrà, Deb Bauder and Emily Mitchell. They showcased the many resources and services contained in the library building, pointing out things that may be different from the high school or public libraries students are used to. They also worked to demystify how to navigate this essential university space. A common theme on the tours was that any college or university library will include librarians who are eager to help students navigate the research process; students just have to ask.
As the high schoolers’ visit ended, SUNY Oswego’s librarians were already making note of how this collaboration could be expanded and improved upon.
“We are delighted when we can partner with the local community, in this case, working with our local K-12 partners to introduce Oswego High School students to the services and resources of their local university library. We look forward to exploring many future partnerships,” said Weisman.