Sharing for the Greater Good: A High School and Community College Partnership to Cultivate Information Literacy in a Rural Community

“Mind the gap” is a phrase heard umpteen times when riding the London Underground subway system. That same advice was heeded in eastern Oregon, where it prompted an Information Literacy (IL) collaboration project between a high school and a community college librarian who forged a “dynamic duo” in an attempt to bridge noticeable gaps in the information literacy skills of their students.Students in both high school and college struggle with aspects of information literacy. These knowledge and habit “gaps” are wide ranging—from initial question asking, to entering the scholarly conversation and finding their voice, to evaluating the myriad resources at their fingertips to seeking help when needed. Narrowing these gaps is a daunting task, but the desire to address these critical needs for our students is what prompted Delia Fields, Hermiston High School librarian, and Jacquelyn (Jackie) Ray, Director of Library and Media Services at Blue Mountain Community College (BMCC), to join forces this past year.