Send message to Contributors

Short Abstract

Libraries are becoming hubs for Citizen Science. Using examples from the Netherlands (i.e. Curious, the Meet-o-theek, and the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health) this session explores how libraries connect citizens, researchers, and tools to foster engagement and societal impact.

Abstract

Citizen Science offers powerful opportunities to connect research and society. Public as well as research libraries are increasingly becoming infrastructures that enable such engagement. In Europe, collaborations between libraries, universities, and community organizations demonstrate how institutional capacity for Citizen Science can grow through shared expertise, facilities, and networks.

This roundtable highlights examples from the Netherlands, where initiatives such as Curious, the Meet-o-theek, and the Aletta Jacobs School of Public Health (AJSPH) illustrate new forms of cooperation between libraries, researchers, and citizens. The Meet-o-theek provides open access to scientific instruments and workshops, enabling community-led data collection. Curious connects researchers and citizen scientists across sectors, while AJSPH contributes health research expertise and frameworks for evaluating societal impact. Together, they showcase how libraries can move beyond traditional roles to become active facilitators of participatory research and public knowledge creation.

The discussion will explore:

How libraries can build institutional capacity and infrastructure for Citizen Science.

How collaborations with research institutions and community platforms can strengthen engagement and data quality.

How public and research libraries complement each other’s strengths in supporting researchers, citizens, and NGOs.

This roundtable aims to identify sustainable models for libraries to advance Citizen Science as part of their mission to connect knowledge, communities, and impact.