Civic data describes a broad range of information related to community life and the decision-making and policies that affect people and places; it can include not only data produced by governmental organizations, but also non-profits, civic institutions (like libraries!), and other community-based organizations. Civic Switchboard is an Institute of Museum and Library Services supported effort that aims to develop the capacity of academic and public libraries in civic data ecosystems.
We encourage partnerships between libraries and local data intermediaries that will better serve data users, further democratize data, and support equitable access to information. Our project created an online guide and toolkit for libraries interested in expanding (or beginning) their role around civic information.
We also published two designed (and printable) versions of the guide:
- Civic Switchboard - Connecting Libraries and Community Information Networks
- Connecting Libraries and Civic Data (a condensed version highlighting library roles and select case studies)
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Contact
Civic Switchboard Team
- Eleanor “Nora” Mattern, (PI) School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh
- Aaron Brenner, The University Library System at the University of Pittsburgh
- Bob Gradeck, Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center
- Chelsea Gunn, School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh
- Liz Monk, Western Pennsylvania Regional Data Center
- Marcia Rapchak, School of Computing and Information, University of Pittsburgh