Resources for Libraries
Whether you’re just getting started or looking for new ways to engage your community, SciStarter has ready-to-use resources to help. Explore materials for creating a display, learn how to build and circulate kits, find easy ways to host a turnkey program, access free professional development, and discover ways to stay connected with SciStarter and other libraries in the Network.
Bring Citizen Science to Your Library
There are lots of ways to bring citizen science to your community. Explore the options below to find what works best for your community!
Create a Citizen Science Display
You don’t need to host a program to start bringing citizen science to your community. A simple display can introduce patrons to citizen science, connect them with projects they can participate in, and highlight related books, resources, and activities already available at your library.
Build a display that works for your space using our ready-to-print posters, bookmarks, booklists, flyers, and other materials. Add a few books, highlight a project or topic your community cares about, and you’re ready to go!
Make it your own
Pair these materials with books from your collection, highlight a citizen science project related to a local interest or seasonal theme, or add simple tools and take-home activities. Your display can be as simple or as interactive as you’d like!
Check It Out Logo
Program logo: Check It Out Program Logo that can be used in various program promotions.
Check It Out Poster
Set of two posters: Check It Out: Citizen Science at your Library program description poster and logo poster.
Feedback Posters – 18×24
Three different feedback posters that invite people to share their experience with citizen science using sticky notes.
SciStarter Poster – 18×24
Promotes participation in citizen science and introduces six featured projects on SciStarter.
Bookmarks
Folder of double-sided bookmarks featuring different citizen science projects. 2.5×8.5 inches.
Stickers
Round 1 ⅔-inch stickers. For use with Avery template 5293.
Buttons
Artwork for 3-inch, 2.25-inch and 1.25-inch buttons.
BookLists
A set of three booklists to connect reading to citizen science topics
Promo Photos
Photos of citizen science in action that can be used in flyers, posters and other marketing materials.
Social Media Assets
Images to use, formatted for social media including Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn.
Circulate Citizen Science Kits
Citizen science kits give patrons the tools and instructions they need to participate in real scientific research from their own homes and communities. Libraries can build ready-to-check-out kits around specific citizen science projects, making it easier for patrons to get involved without needing to purchase their own equipment or figure out where to start.
SciStarter’s kit-building guides make it easy to get a collection started. Each includes recommendations for what to include, instructions for participating in the project, and ready-to-use materials to help you build, circulate, and promote your kits.
Choose a Kit to Build
Host a Citizen Science Program
Bringing citizen science programming to your library can be as simple as tuning into a live event or adding a citizen science activity to something you already have planned. Whether you’re looking for a ready-to-go program or want to create something of your own, SciStarter has resources to help!
Join a Live SciStarter Event
Looking for the easiest way to host a citizen science program? Let SciStarter do the hosting! Our live, interactive events connect your community with scientists, citizen science projects, and opportunities to participate in real research. We handle the speakers, projects, and facilitation. You provide the space, a screen, an internet connection, and an audience.
Throughout the year, libraries can tune in to Do NASA Science LIVE!, our monthly series featuring NASA-funded citizen science projects. During Citizen Science Month in April, the Acts of Science: Connected event series expands the same live-event format to feature even more citizen science projects and opportunities.
Libraries can tune in and host any of these events for free, or apply for a $500 mini-grant to support an in-person event at their library. Funding can help cover the costs of bringing your community together to participate, making these events an easy way to offer interactive citizen science programming with support from SciStarter.
Host Your Own Event
Ready to lead something yourself? You don’t have to start from scratch. Our ready-to-use program resources provide activities, project recommendations, discussion prompts, and other materials to help you plan a citizen science event for your community.
Explore our Event Recipe Cards and 12 Months of Citizen Science Programming for programs you can adapt to your audience, space, and schedule.
Add Citizen Science to What You’re Already Doing
Citizen science doesn’t always need to be a standalone program. Think about what your library already offers and look for opportunities to add real-world scientific participation.
Hosting a gardening program? Add a pollinator observation project. Planning a bird walk? Invite participants to contribute observations to eBird. Stargazing? Collect observations for Globe at Night. Nature walks, technology classes, local history programs, summer reading, and other existing activities can all provide opportunities to connect your community with citizen science.
SciStarter also partners with the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) to provide citizen science resources that complement each year’s Summer Reading theme.
Not Sure Where to Start? Ask an Ambassador!
You don’t have to figure it out alone. SciStarter Ambassadors are trained volunteers who help people and organizations get involved in citizen science. Supporting local libraries and community programming is an important part of their role!
An Ambassador can help you find a project that fits your audience, brainstorm a program, navigate SciStarter resources, or even help facilitate an activity or event. Search the Ambassador Directory to find someone who can help.
Get Free Professional Development
Whether you’re brand new to citizen science or ready to take your involvement further, SciStarter offers free professional development to help you build your knowledge, confidence, and skills. Learn at your own pace through our online trainings or join us for live webinars throughout the year.
Join a Webinar
Keep learning and get new ideas through SciStarter’s free library webinars. We cover topics ranging from getting started with citizen science to programming ideas, upcoming opportunities, Citizen Science Month, and examples from libraries putting these resources into practice.
Check out what’s coming up and join us live, or explore recordings and resources from previous webinars whenever it works for you.
OCT 28
Zoom
Plan Now for Citizen Science Month 2027
Join Arizona State University and SciStarter to prepare for Citizen Science Month 2027. Get free training, ready-to-use programs, promotional materials, planning tools, and funding opportunities to help your library inspire participation in real scientific research during April’s global 5 Million Acts of Science campaign.
Leave ready to help your community discover that anyone can contribute to real scientific research—one Act of Science at a time.
DEC 02
Zoom
Foundations of Citizen Science: Live Training with SciStarter
Curious about citizen science? Join SciStarter for a free, interactive training and discover how you can contribute to real scientific research!
In this live, guided session, Darlene Cavalier, founder of SciStarter, will walk participants through the Foundations of Citizen Science training. You’ll learn what citizen science is, explore ways to get involved in research projects, and discover free tools and resources to help you get started.
Participants will have the opportunity to complete the Foundations training and earn a digital badge recognizing their new skills and knowledge. No prior experience is needed. Everyone is welcome!
JAN 27
Zoom
(Science) Mysteries Await at Your Library
In partnership with the Collaborative Summer Library Program, SciStarter will again provide resources to support your 2027 summer programming and level up your STEM offerings.
More details coming soon!
Webinar Archives
Missed a webinar? Watch previously recorded webinars and explore the resources shared during the call.
To view all past webinars, check out the SciStarter YouTube Channel!
Explore Free Online Trainings
Our free, self-paced trainings are designed for different roles and levels of involvement. Start with the basics or continue your learning as you find new ways to bring citizen science to your library and community.
Foundations of Citizen Science
Start here and earn a digital badge for your LinkedIn profile! You’ll find PowerPoint slides and Speaker’s Notes you can use to introduce citizen science to your patrons too.
Libraries as Community Hubs for Citizen Science
Discover best practices and identify resources to engage library users in citizen science and life-long learning.
Citizen Science Champion
Learn how to introduce SciStarter and citizen science to friends, family, and others in your community! Acquire knowledge, skills, experiences, and professionally designed resources essential for cultivating and supporting citizen science initiatives near you.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date, connect with other libraries, and get support when you need it. Whether you want new program ideas delivered to your inbox, want to hear what other libraries are doing, or have a question for the SciStarter team, there are plenty of ways to stay connected.
Monthly Newsletters
As a member of the Library Network, you’ll receive monthly newsletters sharing upcoming webinars and events, new programming resources, project recommendations, funding opportunities, and other ways to get involved.
Not a member yet? Join the Network to start receiving updates.
Join the Facebook Group
Connect with other members of the Library Network in our Facebook group. It’s a space to share ideas, ask questions, see what other libraries are doing with citizen science, and hear about timely projects and opportunities from SciStarter.
Connect with a SciStarter Ambassador
Looking for some extra support? SciStarter Ambassadors are trained volunteers who can help you find citizen science projects and resources, brainstorm programming ideas, or support citizen science activities in your community.
Explore the Ambassador Directory to find someone who can help.
Represent SciStarter at a Conference
Heading to a library conference? Help bring citizen science to your professional community! Library Network members can represent SciStarter by presenting a session or poster, hosting an exhibit, or finding other ways to share citizen science with fellow library professionals.
SciStarter can help make it easy with proposal support, ready-to-use slides and posters, talking points, outreach materials, and other resources from our Conference Toolkit. If your proposal is accepted, SciStarter can also cover your conference registration for approved presentations, posters, or exhibits. Travel and related expenses are not covered.
Interested in representing SciStarter at an upcoming conference? Explore the toolkit and let us know what you’re planning so we can help you get started.
Contact Us
Have a question about the Library Network or not sure where to find what you need? We’re happy to help! Reach out to the SciStarter Library Network team at librarynetwork@scistarter.org.
Bring SciStarter to Your Website
Help your community discover local opportunities to participate from home! Add SciStarter’s Project Finder to your library website so visitors can explore citizen science projects and find opportunities to participate directly from your site.
Our embeddable tools make it easy to connect your community with projects that match their interests, without having to build or maintain your own project directory.
Explore the Library & Community Guide to Citizen Science
Looking for a deeper dive? The Library & Community Guide to Citizen Science is a comprehensive resource for libraries and community organizations interested in bringing citizen science to their communities. Explore guidance, ideas, and resources to help you learn more and get started.