| Abstract [eng] |
Citizen science is a segment of open science which is about engaging the public in science by conducting research, accessing, using scientific results, and using science-based knowledge to solve problems that matter to society. The development of citizen science activities opens opportunities for the involvement of libraries, which are already experienced in providing information, support and assistance and communication services to the academic community. In citizen science activities, libraries are often seen as intermediaries between citizen science actors (researchers, citizens, and other stakeholders) in communication, information production and transfer, training, and coordination of activities. These activities require the ability to adapt their competencies to new activities, different contexts, and audiences and to develop new ones. Competence development needs to be targeted, planned and continuous, with clear objectives to be addressed and the most appropriate strategies and methods to achieve them. Studies analyzing the structure of the competencies required for citizen science participants and the conditions necessary for their development are not extensive or are targeted at narrow, specific groups of participants. To date, there is no clearly defined mediator/facilitator-oriented competency framework for citizen science tailored to academic and public library staff. The potential for developing competencies of librarians in citizen science projects has also not been explored. Research questions: - What competencies are needed for librarians facilitating citizen science projects? - What education practices are best suited to develop librarians' citizen science competencies? The object of the research is the development of the citizen science facilitator‘s competencies for the library staff. The study aims to assess the need for and the possibilities of developing librarians' competencies in promoting citizen science projects. Objectives: 1. To analyze the structure of competencies needed by librarians in promoting citizen science projects and the possibilities of their development. 2. To justify a methodology for studying the structure of competencies and development opportunities for librarians in promoting citizen science projects. 3. To identify the perceptions of academic and public library staff involved in training for citizen science projects on the need for and opportunities for developing competencies in citizen science projects. The study used the methods of scientific literature analysis, case study, focused group discussion and written survey. The research involved two focus group discussions, one with academic librarians and one with public library staff. The focus group discussion's goal was to identify the competencies and needs of public and academic library staff in promoting citizen science projects and determine which educational methods are best suited to develop these competencies. The study identifies the competency structure of librarians as citizen science facilitators, the skills required and their development needs. The most appropriate ways of developing librarians' competencies were identified. |
