A Librarian’s Guide to Sparking Curiosity

As educators, we’re seeing firsthand the consequences of when people stop being curious. In a time where censorship is on the rise and “alternative facts” are pushed upon classrooms, being able to engage and reflect on not just what but why we learn is desperately needed.

Enter A Librarian’s Guide to Sparking Curiosity, an open educational resource developed in fall 2022 at California State University, Fresno based on the belief that curiosity is essential to creating and sustaining lifelong learning habits. Understanding and recognizing our curiosity is not simply part of the research process but is its backbone.

The OER online modules reflect the variety of worldviews, experiences, and content our students engage with on a regular basis. Including podcasts, archival materials, and viral videos in addition to academic journals and books, we attempted to breach the gap in students’ understanding of what “counts” as research.

In this session, participants will generate and share strategies that allow students to indulge in their developing interests. By reengaging with their own curiosities, participants will discuss ways to redistribute the joy of research back to their students.