Community Learning and Engagement

The Libraries Community Learning & Engagement department fosters collaborative K-12 partnerships by bridging the University Libraries with communities throughout the state of Tennessee & beyond. We work closely with schools and community partners to design & deliver STEM, digital, & research literacy. We are committed to making the Libraries a vital and accessible resource for everyone.

Community Outreach Programs

We collaborate with K-12 schools across Tennessee to offer a variety of programs and services to the community, including:

• BOSS (Big Orange STEM Saturday): Our department hosts an annual STEM conference for high school students to explore a wide range of career paths in advancing and innovative fields.
• Reading Design Challenge (RDC): We develop students’ literacy skills through reading comprehension and design challenges. This program prepares students for the annual TSIN competition and provides online instruction throughout the year.
• Research Capstone: Our department offers a year-long program teaching essential research and communication skills. Students build critical thinking and analytical skills, demonstrating their mastery by creating academic research papers and presentations.
• 2ndBRIDGE: We offer a day-long program for students to visit our campus, interact with college students, and connect with campus partners.

Tailored Library Instruction

Our department offers library instruction to foster STEM learning and exploration. Topics we have covered include:

• AI Literacy & Ethics
• Digital Citizenship
• Drone Technology
• Career Exploration

Research Assistance

Our research assistance services for visiting scholars include:

• Overviews on navigating our collections, utilizing our databases, and accessing online resources
• Instruction on developing effective research strategies
• Guided tours of Hodges Library