Civic Switchboard: Connecting Libraries and Community Information Networks Guide

Report by Civic Switchboard project team

June 10, 2022

University Center for Social and Urban Research ( Pittsburgh )

We believe that strong partnerships between libraries and other local civic data intermediaries better serve data users, further democratize data, and support equitable access to information. The Civic Switchboard guide aims to support libraries and civic data intermediaries to establish and grow these partnerships.

The guide contains the following sections.

Introduction
Context and Concepts
Engaging Partners
Understanding Community Data Needs 30
Library Roles
Maintaining Momentum
Case Studies

The case studies include collaborations with three NNIP partners: Charlotte Mecklenburg Public Library in Charlotte, NC; Fondren Library at Rice University in Houston, TX; and Robert L. Bogomolny Library at the University of Baltimore, MD.

In addtion, there is a condensed version of the guide to make the case for libraries involvement in their civic data ecosystems.

Full Guide

Making the Case: How you and your library can expand (or start) taking part in your local civic data ecosystem