Open Sourcing the Public Library

Open sourcing the public library
Phil Shapiro
All Things Open Conference
Oct 23, 2014

Huge changes are coming
to public libraries as they
transition from analog to digital.

Open source is poised
to play a very big role –
if we play our cards right.

The mission of librarians is to improve
society through the facilitating of
knowledge
creation. The mission of librarians is
to empower.
R. David Lankes
@rdlankes

What is the heart of open source?
Participation.

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

Community participation
in managing the public library
includes

Choosing what percentage
of library acquistions are STEM
related.

Should that be?
5%
10%
15%
50%

Or maybe library
acquisition funds should
be designated for
greater digital empowerment
in the community.

Including such things
as supporting expanded
hours for a coworking space.

Or pilot grants to
help startup new
Benefit Corporations
whose profits can help
benefit the library where
they were born.

What is the role of libraries
in 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

Open Sourcing the Public Library

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Open Sourcing the Public Library