The document introduces the concept of open data, defining it as accessible, machine-readable data that can be freely used and shared. It discusses the historical context of the open data movement, emphasizing its relevance to human rights, community engagement, and ethical considerations. Furthermore, it highlights the role of various community organizations and advocates in enhancing civic engagement, transparency, and innovation through open data initiatives.

1. OpenCommunity:
an Info Pro Intro
Kejo Buchanan • kejobuchanan@gmail.com • @kejobuchanan

2. Objective
Introduce open
data information
community and
the information
professional’s role
in open data
development
Photo Courtesy of CivicTechToronto

3. Open Data
Awareness
1. Open Data
2. Open History
3. Open Community
4. OpenTech
5. Open Benefits
6. Summary

4. Open Data
What is it?
Photo Courtesy of CivicTechToronto

5. Open Data Is…
“…data that
anyone can
access, use
and share”
ODIToronto Node
“…structured
data that is
machine-
readable, freely
shared, used and
built on without
restrictions.”
Open Government Canada

6. Open History
Movement, Rights & Freedoms and Ethics

7. Open Data
Movement
Open Government Data (OGD)
and
Right to Information (RTI):
Opportunities and Obstacles
Article by Katleen Janseen published in the Journal of Community Informatics

8. OGD
VS
RTI
Open Government
Data
“civil servants
interested in new
media and
technologies,
information
management, and
interaction with their
citizen-customers”
Janseen
Right to Information
“the right of the
citizen to access
government
information”
Janseen

9. Open Rights
& Freedoms
Human Rights
 Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
 US Constitution
 UK Bill of Rights & EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Information Laws
 Canada Access to InformationAct 1982
 US Freedom of InformationAct 1966
 UK Freedom of InformationAct 2000

10. Open Ethics
Privacy &
Security
All data and
information published
here and on related
websites is public data
that is not sensitive in
nature
Open Government Canada
Inclusivity &
Equity
Community collectors
and open data
providers filling the
location and
demographic gaps

11. Open Ethics
Challenges
Closed Open
Data Planning
Lack of community
engagement and
access challenges the
most ideal outcomes
and feeds distrust
Stewardship vs
Ownership
Understanding
collection
responsibility does
not equate to
ownership

12. OpenCommunity
Resource gathering, challenges and benefits
Photo Courtesy of CivicTechToronto

13. Open
Members
 To create a community around local open data, open
government, and civic tech - Open Data Book Club
 We offer a variety of open data solutions and civic
technology tools, scaled for both the local and national
levels, for better and more open democracies - Open North
 We connect, equip and inspire people around the world to
innovate with data - Open Data Institute (ODI)
 A diverse community … interested in better understanding
and finding solutions to civic challenges through technology,
design or other means - CivicTechToronto
 Helping civil society groups access and use data to take
action on social problems – Open Knowledge
 Turning open data into real wealth in smart cities across
Canada - Open Data Exchange (ODX)

14. Open
Members
Concerns
 Diverse
 Community
 Democracy
 Inspire
 Innovative
 Solutions
 Helping
 Wealth
 Smart Cities

15. OpenSeekers
Motivated by
improving experiences
for future seekers
Sourcing raw data,
publications, websites
and human libraries
Photo Courtesy of CivicTechToronto

16. Open
Community
Challenges
Attaining Open Data
 Response
 Quality
 Format
 Demo
 Cost
Ideal Open Data
 Access
 Use
 Share
 Unrestricted
 Free

17. OpenTech
Meet, Communicate and Collaborate
Photo Courtesy of CivicTechToronto

18. Open
Collaboration
https://www.meetup.com/
https://slack.com/get-started
https://trello.com/
https://github.com/
https://pol.is/gov
https://www.ushahidi.com/

19. Open Benefits
Accountability,Transparency, Development and Partnership
Photo of Open Data Hackathon: TOProsperity at Toronto Public Library

20. Open
Opportunity
Government
Outcome
 Improve government
operational efficiency
 Support business
development
 Improve civic
engagement
 Increase transparency
and accountability
Library and
Information Centre
Outcome
 Host a hackathon
 Civic and digital literacy
 Partner to resolve library
or broader organization
concerns
 Build network with the
community
 Explore new innovative
possibilities

21. Summary

22. Open
Awareness
 Open data is for access, use and share
 History involves technology, services, rights and
freedoms, ethics
 Community members are advocates, solution finders
and smart city builders
 Technology to meet, communicate, collaborate and
collect
 Benefits result in accountability, transparency,
development and partnerships

23. Open
Resources
Publications and Citations
 Info Pros blog: https://tinyurl.com/infoprose
 Journal of Community Informatics: http://ci-
journal.net/index.php/ciej
Global and National Sources
 Open Data Charter: http://opendatacharter.net
 Open Data Institute: https://theodi.org
 Open Government Canada: http://open.canada.ca/en
 Open North: http://www.opennorth.ca
Community Groups
 Open Data Book Club: http://opendatabook.club
 CivicTechToronto: http://civictech.ca

24. Thank you 
Kejo Buchanan
kejobuchanan@gmail.com
@kejobuchanan