Transforming research and public libraries into catalysts for citizen science

Abstract

This paper reports the outcomes of an interactive workshop held at the ECSA2024 Conference in Vienna, focusing on the evolving role of libraries in supporting and advancing citizen science initiatives. Participants examined libraries as proactive stakeholders in citizen science, detailing their potential as catalysts and knowledge brokers. Key discussions include the need for dedicated library staff roles, specialized training, and enhanced connections between public and research libraries for resource sharing. The workshop also explored alignments between open science and citizen science, emphasizing community engagement through locally relevant projects to boost public participation and impact. Overall, the workshop underscored the critical role libraries play in the ecosystem of citizen science, providing strategic and operational insights for their enhanced involvement.

Keywords

• citizen science
• libraries as catalysts
• knowledge