Public Libraries’ service model for Community Open Data Engagement (mCode)

Abstract

While there has been a growing interest in open data utilization in community context, previous research pointed out that individuals’ participation in open data is low due to the various difficulties and lack of support. Public libraries are an essential role in citizen’s engagement with open data but they need resources and professional networks to guide them to initiate, organize, explain, and promote data services to their communities. Addressing this gap, this research aims to create a research-driven theoretical model for public libraries' open data engagement, named mCODE (the model for Community Open Data Engagement). The mCODE is unique in that it emphasizes the local context and community engagement, reflecting public libraries' strong position to address the place-based needs of their communities.