Cultural Heritage and Social Change: Libraries Measuring Social Impact

Digital Public Library of America Fest 2017

 

Taking place in Chicago DPLAfest 2017 (April 20-21) will bring together hundreds of people from DPLA’s large and growing community for interactive workshops, presentations, and other collaborative activities, engaging discussions with community leaders and practitioners, fun events, and more.

 

This session will look at the active role that libraries are playing in strengthening communities through digital projects focused on cultural heritage and cultural equity. Not only are libraries increasingly agents of social change in local communities, but they are also using methods to measure social impact in a variety of ways. We'll hear from projects taking place in 1000 public libraries across Colombia through the National Library of Colombia, in Native American libraries across New Mexico, and how several librarians started the Libraries 4 Black Lives project. Additionally, we'll hear how the Public Library Association's Project Outcome is providing free measurement tools to public libraries across North America, and how DPLA is working with Historypin to pilot measurable public library programs in rural US communities.