Online Resources To Support Your Community’s College Literacy

Abstract

Colleges and universities are stepping up recruitment of prospective students from rural communities. However, prospective students report having little awareness of the college opportunities and some even believe college is not an option for them. What does your library offer to patrons who are curious about college? Public libraries are an ideal place for patrons of all ages to learn about higher education opportunities, especially those users without access to expensive college prep and advising services. Research currently underway points to a lack of programs and services related to supporting the community’s college literacy offered in North Carolina rural public libraries. This lightning round session will acquaint you with different types of college-bound students, report on initial findings of research of North Carolina public libraries, and highlight one simple way to increase a community’s college planning awareness – through the promotion of online resources.