Module 2.1: Identifying Civic Data Intermediaries
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Last updated
Last updated
This module introduces learners to the concept of a “data intermediary.”
What does a data intermediary do?
What connections exist between librarianship and data intermediary work?
The librarian’s public library has been collecting data about the library’s wifi usage before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The librarian wonders if such data would be of interest to individuals and groups outside of the library staff, but is uncertain how such data would be made publicly available. After a presentation to the library staff by a local data intermediary, the librarian reaches out to the director of the open data portal to determine if they would be interested in hosting the data.
Overview:
In this activity, we will begin to consider the data intermediaries that are (or may be) helping to make civic data available, findable, and usable and empowering individuals to work with the data. This activity can be done in a group setting or individually.
This exercise is based on workshop materials created in 2018 by the IMLS-funded Civic Switchboard project.
Supplies:
Whiteboard or Paper (if working in a group setting, large sticky notes if possible)
Whiteboard markers and/or pens and markers for paper
A computer or Internet-connected device (recommended)
Time:
~30 minutes
Data intermediaries are organizations or individuals who help people find, use, and apply the information we’d characterize as “open civic data”. Civic data intermediaries include those actors that transform data, make data usable, publish data, help others to use data, and develop tools that provide other means of interacting with the data.
When you are beginning to determine ways that your organization might engage with civic data (and, in turn, become active participants in your civic data ecosystem), an important action is identifying data intermediaries in your community. Civic data work is best done in partnership with other civic data intermediaries and this identification is a first step in building these partnerships.
Set-up
If this activity is being done in a group setting, divide into groups of three. All groups/individuals should have a whiteboard space or paper and writing utensils for their inventory.
2. Create an inventory of intermediaries [20-25 minutes]
In this activity, focus on a community with which you/your group is familiar.
If working in a group where participants are based in different communities, you may identify one for a collaborative inventory. You can also choose to create separate inventories for your individual communities while “thinking aloud” in your group and discussing types of organizations that may be relevant for others to consider.
Consider the data intermediaries in your community that are or may be helping to make civic data available, findable, and usable and empowering individuals to work with the data.
On a whiteboard or paper, create an inventory of data intermediaries, considering:
Who is the go-to in your community for _________?
talking about equity and how data affects vulnerable populations
reaching a lot of community organizations at once
trainings around data literacy
trustworthy reports about neighborhood data and trends
offering classes on a range of technology skills
funding for community projects
organizing topical social events and connecting people
facilitating door to door community engagement
designing and implementing surveys
tracking down a public dataset no one seems to have access to yet
organizing a hackathon or meetup or work session
expanding access to technology and internet so people can use data
communicating data findings to a broader audience
Stuck? Here are some likely options:
Local government (and other) agencies that are producers of data
Organizations that help people find, use, and apply civic information
Managers of your local open data portal
Foundations that support civic data initiatives through funding
Journalists and researchers who make meaning of civic data
Local businesses and others that add value to data by contextualizing it or creating access
Coders and bridge groups that use technology and civic data to build applications
People and organizations that help data users hone their data literacy skills
Libraries -- in whatever local role they play with open civic data!
3. Share out and Discussion [Group; 10 minutes] or One-Minute Paper [Individual; 5 minutes]
Group: If completing this activity in a group setting, do a “gallery walk,” observing the inventories that groups developed. Reconvene and discuss:
Inventories can serve as an important initial step for understanding your civic data ecosystem and the opportunities for libraries to participate in it. What did you learn (and learn from one another)?
If other groups developed an inventory for the same community, what similarities and differences did you see?
Consider the value of having many participants contributing to an inventory like this. What questions emerged as you completed this activity? What was challenging?
How would you approach investigating intermediaries in your area further and building on this inventory?
Individual: If completing this activity as an individual, reflect with a “one-minute paper.” Spend a short period of time (1-5 minutes) considering:
Inventories can serve as an important initial step for understanding your civic data ecosystem and the opportunities for libraries to participate in it. What did you learn?
What questions emerged as you completed this activity? What was challenging? How would you approach investigating intermediaries in your area further and building on this inventory?
