Open Sourcing the Public Library

Open sourcing the public library

Phil Shapiro

All Things Open Conference

Oct 23, 2014

Huge changes are comingto public libraries as they

transition from analog to digital.

Open source is poisedto play a very big role –

if we play our cards right.

The mission of librarians is to improve society through the facilitating of

knowledgecreation. The mission of librarians is

to empower.

R. David Lankes @rdlankes

Future Ready – on Vimeo

What is the heart of open source?Participation.

It’s not their libraries -they’re our libraries.

Community participationin managing the public library

includes --

Choosing what percentageof library acquistions are STEM

related.

Should that be?5%

10%15%50%

Or maybe libraryacquisition funds should

be designated forgreater digital empowerment

in the community.

Including such thingsas supporting expanded

hours for a co-working space.

Or pilot grants tohelp startup new

Benefit Corporationswhose profits can help

benefit the library wherethey were born.

What is the role of librariesin promotion of creativity and

ingenuity?

The transition from analog to digital libraries -

Will that happen before 2020? 2025? 2030?

Strategies for bringing change to your public library.

Friday evenings - “Tip Jar Friday Night”

Using the library as a living room rather than a reading room.

Free small group guitar lessons, Spanish lessons, tech Q & A sessions, impromptu skits, “Digital Issues” lectures, mini TED talks, etc.

2nd grader explaining her Python program at CoderDojo DC meeting.

The library fulfills its promise when people of different ages, races, and cultures come together

to pool their talents in creating new creative content.

(Hint: Use Twitlonger.com to tweet. (heh))

Can public libraries make the transition from analog to digital without a change of name?

Resistance to change is huge. A new name is needed for people to understand the extent of the change that is coming at them.

From public library to “Digital Commons.”

Which public libraries are the shining beacons – pointing the way forward?

Chattanooga Public Library – teaching a workshop on mesh networking on their 4th Floor.

Sarena Fletcher, Delaware Dept. Of Libraries

What is the overarching purpose of libraries?

Enhanced human dignity.

Books are just one of the tools towards that enhanced dignity.

Further reading -

http://sites.google.com/site/librarywritings

@philshapiro

Hashtag: #newlib

Phil Shapiro

pshapiro@his.com

The Beginning