Leveraging Open Data for Community Benefit: Next Steps

Abstract

This planning grant, “Leveraging Open Data for Community Benefit”, focused on exploring the potential of open data to assist library staff in planning library services and programs to address the needs of their communities. While the end product of this grant has changed in response to what was learned, the project itself has generated valuable information that will assist in planning the next steps. The team submitted a project proposal to IMLS for additional funding that helps to move this work forward and continues exploring the potential of open data in this area. The proposal describes how to provide opportunities to MLIS students to acquire and apply open data and GIS skills in collaboration with practicing librarians to address opportunities and challenges in their communities. Additional detail about the proposal, its structure and potential examples can be found in the “Next Steps” section of this report.