New Case Study: “Improving Digital Access to Local News Through Library-Newsroom Collaboration”

From Library Futures:

In May, Library Futures completed a project with the Albany Public Library, Hearken, and the Albany Times Union to improve digital access to local news through collaboration with libraries and newsrooms. This three month pilot project established ties between the library, newsroom, and patrons. You can read our initial insights report at our website.

The program used public-powered journalism, a method that engages communities directly with journalists to cover otherwise overlooked or underreported stories. This pilot is the outcome of a larger project, initiated by Library Futures, with funding from the Google News Initiative and support from program design consultants at Hearken and MakeWith, whose aim was to explore possibilities for expanding equitable digital access to local news through library-newsroom collaboration with an emphasis on sustainable, low-tech solutions, library ownership of digital materials, and long-term relationship-building.               

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Between February and May 2022, key stakeholders from Albany Public Library and Times Union worked together to solicit audience questions about the past, present, and future of Albany’s Pearl St. and to report on the answers to these questions over the course of several stories. The content produced through this collaboration was made freely available to the public outside of the TU paymeter and co- owned by both the library and the newsroom.       

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Thank you to everyone who made this project successful, particularly Jennifer Brandel (Hearken), Aria Joughlin (MakeWith), Deanna DiCarlo (Albany Public Library), Rebecca Lubin (Albany Public Library), Casey Seiler (Times Union), Erica Smith (Times Union), Lee Colon (Times Union), and Turiya Autry (MakeWith).

Direct to Complete Announcement

Direct to Full Text Case Study (31 pages; PDF)

See Also: Library Futures Releases First Insights Report on Albany Public Library News Access Pilot Project (February 8, 2022)

Filed under: Funding, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries