The Civic Librarian Project from the School of Information aims to empower public librarians with modern technology to tackle civic challenges, continuing the tradition of librarians as community problem-solvers. “We think of solving civic problems through information as an extension of what librarians have always done, which is to serve the lives of their patrons,” stated Cliff Lampe, UMSI professor and associate dean. Civic issues vary from traffic safety to managing aging infrastructure, impacting community well-being.
Supported by a $384,133 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, this open-access course consists of six modules aimed at helping librarians devise resident-focused solutions and collaborate with local governments. Each module includes video lessons by Lampe and Scott TenBrink, case studies from Michigan, and practical activities for librarians to tackle community challenges.
The project introduces civic technology principles to librarians, focusing on tools that enhance citizen engagement and government services, like SeeClickFix and Ann Arbor’s snow plow tracking map. Civic technologies must be community-driven, a strength of library professionals skilled in data collection and deeply connected with their communities. “Libraries are trusted community institutions,” TenBrink noted, highlighting their role in fostering public dialogue and partnerships with local governments.
How to Make an Idea Real
Over a decade ago, Lampe sought to create non-exploitive civic engagement opportunities for UMSI students, resulting in the Citizen Interaction Design course in 2013. This program connects students with Michigan communities to address civic issues through information tools. TenBrink, with a background in urban planning, joined UMSI to manage this initiative, which has since expanded to work with various Michigan communities on over 150 projects.
The Civic Librarian Project adapts this successful model for library professionals nationwide. Case studies in each module are derived from UMSI student projects. In one instance, UMSI students worked with the Capital Area District Library and Lansing city government to enhance engagement with digitized public records. “To take something that’s lived in a vault for 20 years…that’s something we can do in the library,” said Heidi Butler, local history specialist.
The students developed “Lens-ing,” a gamified app prototype inspired by Pokémon GO, to encourage exploration of Lansing through its public records. This initiative excited community development manager Erin Buitendorp as a way to engage younger residents. “I think that’s going to help us from a local government standpoint,” Buitendorp observed.
Michigan State Librarian Randy Riley, an advisory board member, views this as the profession’s future. “Librarians and libraries already play a huge role in their communities,” Riley commented, emphasizing the project’s role in fostering library-government collaborations.
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