> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://civic-switchboard.gitbook.io/guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://civic-switchboard.gitbook.io/guide/library-roles/increasing-the-librarys-capacity.md).

# Increasing the library's capacity to do all of the above

**What's the need?**

* To be sustainable, many of the roles in this section require ongoing commitments of people, resources, and expertise.

**Why the library?**  

* Libraries are relatively stable organizations and are used to long-term planning and infrastructural thinking.

**What you can do:**

* Make the case about the importance of this work to your library's leadership and funders
* Determine what a baseline of civic data awareness might look like for you and your library colleagues; then work on developing it through whatever means works best in your library (trainings, discussion groups, projects with community partners)  
* Modify existing staff positions to include responsibilities around civic data; support people in these roles with training and meaningful project work
* Create and hire new positions with responsibilities around civic data
* Cross pollinate civic data conferences

**Inspiration:**

* Evansville, Indiana Area: [Jerica Copeny | Movers & Shakers 2018 – Innovators](https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=jerica-copeny-movers-shakers-2018-innovators) 
* Pittsburgh, PA: Lyons, Kim. “[3 Women You Should Know in Pittsburgh Civic Tech.](https://technical.ly/pittsburgh/2018/05/09/3-women-you-should-know-pittsburgh-civic-tech-open-data-pgh/)” Technical.ly,  May 9, 2018.
* Pittsburgh, PA: Civic Switchboard. “[Library Partners Reflect on NNIP Meeting](https://civic-switchboard.github.io/post_9/),” June 6, 2018. 

**Resources you can use:**  

* Talking Points: Why Libraries Should be Key Participants in their Civic Data Ecosystems \[[PDF](https://github.com/civic-switchboard/guide/blob/master/toolkit/CSTalkingPoints.pdf), [PNG](https://github.com/civic-switchboard/guide/blob/master/toolkit/CSTalkingPoints.png)]
* Toolkit Job descriptions - *coming soon*


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