| What education and policy leaders believe about partnership between major organizations with whom they collaborate is important because it affects the type of programs that are developed, how they are funded, and their continuation. This study examines the beliefs of education and policy leaders about the most important elements of successful university/education partnership in the context of one program, UDLib/SEARCH, in which the University of Delaware Library provides online full text periodical databases and training to all high schools and middle schools in the state of Delaware with state funds. The UDLib/SEARCH program was motivated by University administration's desire to provide a new tangible public service to schools statewide and to further strengthen the University/state relationship pertaining to education. University of Delaware President David Roselle called the UDLib/SEARCH project “one example of the power of partnership between the University and the state in serving the citizens of the state.” (University of Delaware, 1998, p. 1).; The qualitative research methodology utilized in this study involved interviews with education and policy leaders from schools, the state, and the University involved in or affected by UDLib/SEARCH. Interviewees included the University of Delaware President, Provost, Dean of the College of Human Resources, Education and Public Policy, and Director of Libraries; State Secretary of Education, State Budget Director, Education Policy Advisor to the Governor, State Director of Telecommunications, and the State Librarian; Superintendent of Schools, School Principal, and School Librarians from two Delaware schools. The main research questions focus on the beliefs of these leaders and include: What is the definition of partnership? What are the elements of successful university/education partnership? Is the state of Delaware different when it comes to partnerships? Is the UDLib/SEARCH program considered successful? What are examples of educational collaborations and partnerships these leaders consider successful? What are common elements of a successful university/state education partnership?; The subsequent analysis of the beliefs of education and policy leaders may assist in future development of collaborative activities between the University of Delaware and other education organizations, and also other university libraries who wish to collaborate with K–12 education. |
