Connecting with schools during pandemic and initiating remote digital research service

Abstract

Cork City Libraries strived to maintain connections with schools throughout the pandemic and at times of library and school closures. One cohort we specifically targeted was History students and teachers undertaking research projects obligatory for the Leaving Certificate, the final exam of the Irish secondary school system. These were very difficult and uncertain times for students taking state exams in Ireland and there was extra focus on coursework as a means of assessment for final results. Unable to provide our in-person research service or host class visits, we piloted a remote research service with two schools and developed a Digital History Research Pack individualised for each participating student’s project topic. The pack contains digitised source materials from our collections along with a range of research guides. The individualised packs where then delivered electronically to the participating schools. After a successful pilot phase, we scaled up quickly to offer the service to all schools in our catchment area and to date have delivered over 300 project packs to students across our city. The Digital History Research Pack is now a standard offering to all city schools in tandem with our in-person research service. This has allowed us to widen our reach and enhance our service to students and teachers across our city.