Public Libraries & Open Data Survey: Initial Findings
By: Kaitlin Throgmorton
Tags: Surveys, Public Libraries, Open Data

During the summer of 2019, the Open Data Literacy (ODL) project, working in collaboration with the Washington State Library, conducted a survey on open data and public libraries. All public library systems in the state were invited to participate in the 11-question survey about their open data interests and activities.

Fifty-one system and branch libraries participated — a 45% response rate. Among those respondents, 49% were from libraries with service populations over 100,000, and 51% represented service populations under 100,000. The table below shows the full breakdown of responses by legal service area (LSA) population.

Results from participating libraries indicate that many Washington state public libraries are already well-positioned to work with open data. Two-thirds of respondents agree that open data aligns with their mission (67%) and their community’s interests (64%). Most are already involved in adjacent activities, such as providing access to local government information, local history, and special collections, as well as information about matters of public interest. Additionally, more than 90% of respondent libraries agreed that they offer guidance on information technologies, new information resources, and information about community activities and resources — whereas only 55% of respondents say their local government information is available in digital form.

With open data in particular, public libraries in Washington are more active than expected. Nearly 20% describe themselves as highly active in publishing their library’s data as open data, and 43% report at least some level of activity in this area. Only 8% report they are unlikely to become active in open data publishing. Even more promising, 19% are “likely” to begin publishing library data as open data, and 25% are “somewhat likely” to do so.

Open data activity at the reference desk is also quite strong, with 22% of respondent libraries indicating they are highly active in providing “reference assistance for community members on finding or using open data.” Sixty-five percent report at least some level of activity in this area, and only 6% say they’re unlikely to provide reference services in this area.

In the open-ended survey responses, one librarian explained their support for open data reference activity as follows:

“It’s common to hear librarians lamenting the fact that they never get asked actual reference questions anymore. …But open data is an area where skilled guides are still needed. With the appropriate training, our librarians could be showing our community a richer way to view the world than through a simple google search. I think that given the opportunity, many librarians would jump at the chance to learn more.”

While activity and interest in open data among Washington public libraries is high, libraries do have some hesitations. For example, ODL was surprised that 18% of respondents indicated they are unlikely to “build collections of open data of value to [their] community,” given the responses on current involvement in providing access to local government information and other information of public interest. Respondents were also divided about who should take the lead on local open data initiatives. Forty-three percent agree that libraries should lead in this area, whereas 37% were neutral, and 8% disagreed. Views varied on which library positions would be most likely to work on open data activities, with respondents listing directors, reference librarians, adult services librarians, IT staff, and a variety of other positions.

Not surprisingly, 47% of respondents agreed that prioritizing open data initiatives would be difficult for their library, with more than two-thirds (69%) indicating a strong need for increased budgets or grant funds. However, we were encouraged to see that most libraries recognize the value of “new or improved collaboration with city, state, or other partners” (67%), as well as “professional development on access, use, and instruction” (57%), for moving forward with open data. That understanding, coupled with almost two-thirds (61%) of surveyed libraries either active or likely to become active in publishing their library data as open data, suggests a highly robust state of ambition in Washington public libraries for advancing open data.

Learn more about the survey

To learn more about the survey findings, view the slides from our presentation at the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) 2019 Membership Meeting, “From Ambition to Action: State & Public Libraries Partnering on Open Data.”

Launch the survey in your area

ODL is now working to extend the Public Libraries and Open Data survey beyond the state of Washington in collaboration with the Technology and Social Change Group (TASCHA), at the University of Washington Information School. If your state is interested in launching the survey, please contact TASCHA’s senior research scientist, Chris Jowaisas, at chrisjow@uw.edu.