Introduction to Citizen Science/How to Bring Citizen Science to Your Library Education Program

Background: A growing number of educators are using Crowdsourcing and Citizen Science (CCS) resources to engage their communities in addressing societal needs and accelerating biomedical science, technology, and innovation using CCS techniques. Collaborations between communities and researchers is critical to building capacity to address problems and meet research goals. This presentation will share the results and takeaways from a partnership between the Network of the National Library of Medicine, MidContinental Region and SciStarter.org that produced an online training program designed to introduce librarians and community-based organization leaders to Citizen Science and Crowdsourcing concepts and strategies on how they can support their libraries/communities as hubs for robust citizen science activities.

Description: Two, one-hour self-guided online English and Spanish tutorials were developed by instructional designers with input from public and academic librarians, citizen science experts, and community-based organization (CBO) staff. The first tutorial teaches librarians/CBO leaders about the importance of involving the public in health and biomedical science related research that can address real-world problems. The second tutorial provides step-by-step guidance on how librarians/CBO leaders can introduce engaging CCS activities to their communities in ongoing and sustainable ways through their sites. The tutorials are freely available online, under a creative commons license, which includes links to several supplemental consumer health information related resources. A mixed-method evaluative approach was used to determine the results of the project’s overall objectives and outcomes as well as gauging the quality and impact of the project’s activities.

Conclusion: Data indicates the project is successful in introducing librarians and community-based organizations to Citizen Science.. Since May 2021, 756 people have completed the first tutorial. 120 people have gone on to complete the second tutorial with 53 claiming MLA CE. 87% of survey respondents stated they learned about a new health information resource or tool. 96% stated they learned a new skill they plan to use in the future and 100% plan to start using at least one resource or tool that learned about in this training. When asked If they would recommend this training to others 100% reported they would..