Open Data and Libraries: The Future Is Now

The conversations about data in libraries have shifted from being about circulation and reference desk tally sheets, to focusing on the ways we can collect and synthesize community and open data. We can help our communities solve their most pressing problems. As librarians become more data literate and proactive in understanding how data of all kinds influences daily life, we bring added value to our governments, campuses and classrooms. It is time for everyone to jump into the conversation about data and what it means for libraries. This session is an introduction to the emerging data landscape and the implications for libraries of all types.

By the end of this webinar you will be able to:

• Articulate the differences between open data, civic data, community data, and big data and how they will affect libraries in the near future.

• Develop data literacy through the exploration of some examples of successful open data projects.

• Start a discussion about potential applications for using open data in your library and community.