Academic Library Collaboration in Supporting Students Pre-Induction: The Head Start Project

Abstract

For higher education institutions in the United Kingdom there is a growing focus on improving student retention, encouraging academic engagement, and easing transition into university life. This article reports on the creation and outcomes of Head Start, a pre-induction online course created to provide students with a level of understanding of academic literacies including information literacy to aid preparation for university study. Information literacy librarians have reported that there has been a marked improvement in the confidence and information literacies of new starters taking the module. The article is of value for others wishing to support students at pre-entry.

KEYWORDS:

• academic libraries
• e-learning
• information literacy
• library collaborative practice
• pre-induction support
• retention
• transition

Acknowledgments

© James Fraser, Karen Shaw, and Sarah Ruston