On November 19, 2024, the University of Library Studies and Information Technologies (ULSIT), Bulgaria, organised the multiplier event “Citizen Science & Libraries – Fiction or Reality?!” The event brought together scientists, library professionals, students and citizens with an interest in Citizen and Open Science to discuss the role of libraries as a connecting bridge between universities and society. The event was opened by Prof. Tereza Trencheva, PhD, Vice-Rector of ULSIT and coordinator of the project in Bulgaria. Prof. DSc. Irena Peteva greeted the participants with a welcome speech, in which she emphasised the importance of open science as a global approach to sharing knowledge accessible to all. “Citizen science expands the scope of scientific research by including people of different ages and professions. This not only popularises science, but also creates real benefits for society,” added Prof. DSc. Stoyan Denchev, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of ULSIT.
The multiplier event began with interactive communication – all participants defined citizen and open science on sheets of paper, shaped into paper airplanes, which flew in the hall and landed on an improvised landing pad of CeOS_SE Project.
Prof. Tania Todorova, DSc, stated that “the information specialists, library specialists are on the first line in issues dedicated to sciences and society and involving people to explore science, to have a good attitude to lifelong education.” She revealed that “for bachelor’s and master’s thesis, our students regularly use methods of citizen science. However, we are very open to know more and more from the good, from best European practices in that direction. I think that contemporary information specialist must be very well trained to implement the methods of citizen science, to learn good practices and to multiply them in their future professional activities.”
The main emphasis of the event was placed on the role of universities and libraries as platforms for citizen science. The project team presented successful examples of events that connect society and researchers. Then, the participants – students, lecturers and guests, participated in “games” – creating initiatives that present citizen and open science to society in Vidin, Ruse and Blagoevgrad. Particular attention was paid to the connection between citizen science and university research. It was emphasised that citizen projects contribute to the collection of large-scale data and that collaboration between citizens and scientists enriches scientific results and facilitates the implementation of these results in real life.
The multiplier event ended with an open discussion in which participants discussed the challenges and future prospects for citizen science and open access to scientific outputs.
“Libraries have the infrastructure, technologies and expert capacity that can support citizen initiatives. Our mission is to inspire people and show them that they can also be part of the scientific process. And universities can be more than repositories of knowledge – they can be drivers of social change,” Prof. Tereza Trencheva, PhD, summarised the discussion in a nutshell.
Authors: Evelina Zdravkova & Svetoslava Dimitrova
