Infrastructure

The Central Technical Library is the largest technical library in Slovenia and is part of Slovenia’s scientific research infrastructure.

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• complimentary library subscriptions for up to three citizen researchers per project,
• access to informational resources, including both printed and electronic literature, in line with licensing agreements,
• guidance on designing citizen science research projects,
• assistance with creating research data management plans,
• expert information consultancy from specialists in engineering and natural sciences,
• bibliographic management of research findings,
• access to DiRROS repository services,
• utilization of Learning Workshop facilities,
• availability of a meeting room for collaborative work,
• support in promoting research efforts.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research at the Central Technical Library at the University of Ljubljana is Til Mlakar (til.mlakar@ctk.uni-lj.si, 01 2003 416).

The France Beck Public Library serves as the primary regional library for the Goriška region. It functions as a general library and maintains robust connections with the broader local community, both domestically and internationally, as well as with diverse cultural stakeholders.

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• free membership for one citizen researcher per study,
• access to online information resources (E-sources, which library offers – Goriška knjižnica Franceta Bevka (gkfb.si),
• professional support in locating information sources and data relevant to your research,
• a dedicated computer workstation for an individual citizen researcher,
• a designated area for work and meetings,
• access to 3D printing and 3D scanning facilities,
• assistance in promoting citizen science research and projects.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research at France Bevk Public Library Nova Gorica is Saša Vidmar (sasa.vidmar@gkfb.si, 05 33 09 104)

The Library of the Slovenian Institute of Adult Eduacation is the central special library for adult education in Slovenia. It is connected with other special libraries of the Special Libraries Section of the Association of Librarians’ Societies of Slovenia and the Higher Education Library at the Department of Pedagogy and Andragogy of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Ljubljana (OHK).

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• complimentary membership,
• the ability to borrow materials for a month, with options for renewal,
• professional support in locating information sources, data, and research materials,
• advice on how to use the material, offered in digital reader (https://www.acs.si/digitalna-bralnica/),
• promoting citizen science research and projects.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research at the Library of the Slovenian Institute of Adult Education is Ana Peklenik (ana.peklenik@acs.si, 01 5842 575)

Kranj City Library is a general library that strives for progress in its wider environment, connects citizens, institutions and other actors in society, is the generator of numerous projects and has a wide network of users. It is becoming an increasingly powerful force for progress and has great potential for the promotion, dissemination and implementation of citizen science.

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• availability of both printed and electronic informational resources accessible within or through the library, guidance on engaging in civic research,
• expert assistance in identifying information sources, data, and materials for research,
• workspaces equipped with computer facilities,
• meeting spaces and group work areas, along with a hall for larger events,
• promotion of citizen science on the MCC website and through MCC social media channels,
• access to printing and scanning services for research at the prevailing MKK rates,
• one member of a research group utilizing the library’s infrastructure will receive a complimentary membership for the duration of their project.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research in Kranj City Library is Nina Svetelj (nina.svetelj@mkk.si, 040 416 770)

IZUM – Institute of Information Sciences is a public infrastructure institution, which is defined as a library information service and at the same time represents an information service for Slovenian science, culture and education.

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• guidance on how to begin participating in citizen surveys and planning such surveys,
• professional support in locating sources and assistance in finding data for the survey (information consultancy),
• access to both printed and electronic resources, including international resources in line with licensing terms, and inter-library loan services to an agreed extent,
• a computer-equipped workstation designated for one citizen researcher,
• a room for work and meetings,
• services for scanning and printing,
• bibliographic management of research outcomes,
• promotion of the project, its research, and its results on IZUM’s social media platforms,
• a spacious hall for hosting large events.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research in IZUM – Institute of Information Sciences is dr. Renata Zadravec Pešec (renata.zadravec@izum.si, 02 25 20 331)

Ljubljana City Library is the largest general library in Slovenia and the most networked cultural institution in the Municipality of Ljubljana. As the central regional library, it coordinates, links and directs the work of the general libraries in the region. By introducing bold and innovative practices in the field of culture and education, it improves the social position of the Slovenian population and enhances the international visibility of Slovenian libraries.

It offers the following facilities for citizen science researchers to carry out their work, which are free of charge for citizen science researchers:

• professional support in locating information sources and data for research purposes,
• availability of print and electronic informational resources, either within the library or through remote access,
• waiver of the annual membership fee for one citizen researcher involved in each project,
• access to 3D printing and 3D scanning services,
• meeting and training rooms,
• a computer lab for training sessions,
• workstations outfitted with computer equipment
• a large hall suitable for hosting major events,
• promotion of citizen science projects and support in distributing the final research findings.

Contact person for the use of the infrastructure for citizen science research in Ljubljana City Library is Andreja Vovk Iskrić (andreja.vovk-iskric@mklj.si)

The University Library of the University of Nova Gorica supports the educational, research and artistic activities of the University by selecting, processing and providing materials and information resources in all fields of science, and also offers its resources and services to the interested public. An important task of the library is to maintain bibliographies of researchers.

It offers the following facilities and services to public researchers:

• access to print and e-information resources available in or through the library,
• professional assistance in finding information sources, data and materials for research purposes,
• meeting and group work space, with the possibility of using a wireless network,
• bibliographic processing of research results,
• promotion of citizen science on the University Library of the University of Nova Goica website,
• offering free membership for the duration of the project to the researchers in the research group that will use the library infrastructure.

The contact person for information on the use of the infrastructure for citizen science purposes at UKUNG is Marjetka Velušček (marjetka.veluscek@ung.si, +386 5 33 15 220)

Community classroom without walls Na Logu, Tolmin

The community learning garden Na Logu, which the Municipality of Tolmin has handed over to the Posoški razvojni center (PRC) to manage, is developing as a classroom without walls – an open learning environment that encourages experiential learning with nature on site, exploration, connection, and a sustainable way of life. It is a multipurpose blue-green infrastructure that includes flower beds, a lawn, a hedge, learning corners, other elements of a nature-friendly space that promotes biodiversity, and a garden shed.

Here, we learn about nature with nature, directly on site. The classroom is intended for all generations and enables the cooperation of various institutions, organizations, and individuals. The PRC includes it in the infrastructure of the citizen science network, as it offers excellent conditions for field work, observation, data collection, teaching and research activities, etc.

You can follow the activities taking place there in the closed Facebook group Skupnostni učni vrt Na Logu (Na Log Community Learning Garden) https://www.facebook.com/groups/643217930058342. You can also watch a short presentation video prepared for the VITRAŽ conference (2024) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wcj9Ew68I3A

What can we offer citizen researchers?

• Free access to the Na Logu community classroom without walls for pre-arranged research and/or teaching activities (reservation required).

• The opportunity to carry out project activities aimed at strengthening the biodiversity of the area (e.g., planting, monitoring, habitat improvements, etc.).

• The opportunity to participate in the organization of events, workshops, etc. in the classroom without walls for the local community.

The contact person for reservations and agreements regarding the use of the community classroom Na Logu in Tolmin is Patricija Rejec (patricija.rejec@prc.si, 05/ 38 41 506, 051 310 505).