“Society's laboratories.” The role of libraries in participatory research

What happens when libraries and archives are seen not just as places of storage, but as living research spaces? Stefan Wiederkehr is Head Librarian for Special Collections and Digitization at the Zurich Central Library and is involved in the LIBER Citizen Science Working Group. In an interview with mit:forschen!, he talks about the importance of historical sources for research, the challenges of digitization, and why archives are much more than dusty filing cabinets.

Libraries and archives are not only places of knowledge, but also spaces for participation and research. Wiederkehr describes how interested citizens can become active participants in citizen science at these institutions. He shows how access to historical sources and documents enables new forms of participation—for example, through transcription projects, digital indexing, or joint research projects. This opens up opportunities, especially for young people, to actively participate in science and help shape the work of archives and libraries.

A conversation about new ways of collaboration between institutions and society – and about how citizen science broadens our understanding of research.

To the interview