Implementing BESPOC For Citizen Science Central Services in the Baltic Region
Creators: name: Ignat, Tiberius
name: Lembinen, Liisi
name: Neerut, Lilian
name: Kaseorg, Svea
name: Rozenberga, Gita
name: Tuuliki, Tuuliki
name: Birk, Kaarin
name: Tautkevičienė, Gintarė
name: Pranckutė, Aistė
name: Sabaitytė, Giedrė
name: Bucevičiūtė, Laima
name: Zourou, Katerina
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: Citizen Science
Library-University Collaboration
Research Engagement
BESPOC Model
Academic Innovation

description: The LibOCS project (EU ERASMUS+) is a pioneering initiative designed to fortify the relationship between libraries, universities, and society through the implementation of the BESPOC model at five Baltic universities. This model is an innovative platform, nurturing interaction and enabling a cohesive framework for citizen science. Our presentation unveils the nuanced experiences and best practices gleaned from creating a central support service for citizen science projects, drawing from the diverse case studies of the participating universities: Tartu University (Estonia), TalTech (Estonia), Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), and the University of Latvia.

The BESPOC model stands out for its originality, offering a novel approach to citizen science by encapsulating nine strategic modules. These modules collectively enhance the operational and strategic integration of citizen science activities within academic libraries, thereby positioning them as central actors in the knowledge exchange between academia and the public. The emphasis on libraries spotlights their potential as trusted knowledge hubs and champions their role in community engagement and educational outreach.

Our presentation outlines the specific requirements, challenges, and opportunities encountered by research libraries in the Baltic region when deploying the BESPOC model. Each university's journey—characterized by unique institutional culture and societal context—offers insights into the adaptable nature of BESPOC. We share the approaches adopted by these five Baltic universities for policy development, project management, and community building, as well as the practical solutions to challenges such as legal compliance, safety, and specific communication.

Furthermore, the presentation showcases the impact of BESPOC on the libraries' roles within their universities, including their increased capacity to contribute more significantly to citizen science and open science. This paper reflects on the progress made in citizen science at the five Baltic research libraries and ignites a conversation about the future of these collaborations.

The LibOCS project, through the BESPOC model, represents a considerable advancement in the practical application of Citizen Science in Europe, offering a scalable template for other research libraries. The project's relevance is underscored by its potential to produce systemic change, promoting the proactive adoption of citizen science. The experiences from the Baltic universities serve as persuasive case studies, underscoring the critical importance and advantages of robust citizen science support services within academic libraries.

In addition to the BESPOC implementation process, we will also introduce other LibOCS findings: Drivers and Barriers of Civic Engagement in Open Science and The Role of University Libraries in The Baltics, The Transformative Role Of University Libraries And Other Memory Institutions For Citizen Science And Open Science In The Baltics, and an Open Access Collection of Resources On Citizen Science For Libraries.

Our proposal is designed to captivate the audience's interest, engage stakeholders, and inspire other institutions. The implications of our work extend far beyond the immediate academic setting, promising a far-reaching impact on how research libraries can serve as facilitators of science-society engagement, especially in our difficult times of disinformation, manipulation, and anti-democratic discourse.